The election of the first ever American to the papacy is giving New York Knicks fans feelings of divine right ahead of the rest of the NBA playoffs.

On Thursday afternoon, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected by his federal cardinals to become the new head of the Catholic Church – taking the name Pope Leo XIV.

But long before he roamed the halls of the Sistine Chapel, Prevost may have rejoiced in the similarly hallowed walls of the Palestra as a student at Villanova University off the Main Line outside of Philadelphia.

Villanova, which is known for its basketball program, has produced multiple NBA players – including a trio of stars on the New York Knicks.

Point guard Jalen Brunson, shooting guard Josh Hart, and forward Mikal Bridges all were Villanova Wildcats – winning a national тιтle together in 2016.

Prevost, who was a bishop in Peru at the time, celebrated his alma mater winning the national тιтle on social media through a re-tweet. 

Pope Leo XIV, birth name Robert Prevost, attended Villanova University in Pennsylvania

So did New York Knicks stars Josh Hart (3), Jalen Brunson (11) and Mikal Bridges (25)

Prevost re-tweeted a celebration of Villanova’s 2016 тιтle – when all 3 players were on the team

Now, Knicks fans and sports writers believe the team has the power of God on their side

But now, with Brunson, Hart, and Bridges all on the Knicks, fans of the basketball team believe they may have God on their side.

‘The Pope is a Villanova guy. Knicks might just win the whole thing,’ wrote Knicks fan and legendary sports writer Frank Isola on X.

Another Knicks account posted, ‘The new Pope, Leo XIV, is a Villanova graduate. It’s meant to be.’

‘The new pope went to Villanova! This totally explains what’s happening with the Knicks,’ posted NBC Sports’ college basketball insider Nicole Auerbach. 

Even Knicks super-fan Spike Lee got in on the action, posting to Instagram, ‘And for my NEW YAWK KNICKS FANS His Alma Mater Is VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY… What A HOLY BLESSING. THE KNICKER BOCKERS ARE GONNA WIN THE 2024-[2025] NBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. IT IS DIVINITY. GOD BLESS.’ 

Prevost graduated Villanova in 1977 – two years before the Wildcats made the move to the Big East Conference. 

Former Villanova basketball coach Jay Wright posted, ‘A blessing for all Americans, @osavocations [the X account for the Augustinain Friars] @VillanovaU, most importantly in the World!’ 

Further strengthening his connection to the Big East, Prevost’s mother attended DePaul University in Chicago – another member of the prestigious basketball conference.