Williams' Papal Jersey.
Chicago Bears Quarterback Caleb Williams Gifts Autographed Jersey to Pope Leo, Potentially Previewing New Uniforms.
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Key Points
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The jersey's design appears to be a white Bears road kit with orange numerals and a navy outline, reportedly stripe-free, described as a potential sneak peek of Nike's Rivalries uniforms for the team.
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Williams signed the jersey with inscriptions reading 'To Pope Leo #DaPope Men for Others' and delivered it on July 4, per Bears reporter Chris Emma.
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The gift was presented by U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch, and ABC7 Chicago notes that AJ Pierzynski previously gave Pope Leo a baseball from the 2005 World Series.
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In 2025 Williams threw for 3,942 passing yards with 27 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, helping the Bears to an 11-6 record and a divisional playoff appearance; training camp for 2026 is slated to begin July 25 (rookies) and July 28 (veterans).
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams sent an autographed jersey to Pope Leo XIV on July 4, and the gift may have accidentally revealed a major uniform secret. Sports Illustrated reports the jersey appears to be a white road kit with orange numbers and a navy outline — a design that matches what Nike's upcoming "Rivalries" special-edition uniforms are expected to look like.
Williams signed the jersey with the inscription "To Pope Leo #DaPope Men for Others," according to The Spun. U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch presented the jersey to the pope, who is a Chicago native and a known sports fan.
The Jersey Design That Has Bears Fans Buzzing
The jersey Williams sent stands out for one big reason: no stripes. Yahoo Sports notes the design is stripe-free, with orange numerals on a white background and a navy outline. That combination does not match any current Bears uniform. It closely fits descriptions of Nike's Rivalries series, a new line of special jerseys tied to historic NFL matchups.
The Bears are widely expected to have a Rivalries matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day. A road white jersey would fit that game perfectly. The Big Lead says the pope's gift could be a sneak peek of exactly that uniform, though Nike and the Bears have not confirmed anything.
Pope Leo XIV Has Chicago Sports Running Through His Blood
Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago, has quickly become a symbol of pride for the city's sports teams. This is not the first time he has received Bears gear. Chicago figures have sent him apparel before, and the gifts keep coming. The Spun reports that former White Sox catcher AJ Pierzynski also gave the pope a baseball from the 2005 World Series.
The gesture from Williams came through his Caleb Cares Foundation, which focuses on community work. The July 4 delivery added a patriotic touch to the moment. The image of a sitting pope holding a Bears jersey spread quickly across sports media.
Williams Enters 2026 Off a Breakout Season
Williams had a strong 2025 campaign. He threw for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions. The Bears finished 11-6 and made the divisional playoffs — a big step forward for a franchise that had struggled for years. ON3 notes Williams is now one of the most talked-about young quarterbacks in the NFL.
The Bears open training camp July 25 for rookies and July 28 for veterans. Chicago is looking to repeat as NFC North champions and make a deeper playoff run. A possible Christmas Day game against the Packers — and a flashy new jersey — would give the season a marquee moment to build toward.
A PR Win That Money Cannot Buy
Getting a Bears jersey into the Vatican is not a typical marketing move. But the buzz it created is real. The story crossed from sports pages to national news within hours. The Big Lead points out that linking Chicago sports culture to the pope puts the Bears in a unique spotlight heading into the new season.
If the jersey does turn out to be the official Rivalries uniform, Nike and the Bears got a global reveal without spending a dollar on advertising. Whether that was planned or a happy accident, the result is the same: everyone is talking about the Bears jersey.
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