Is a big season coming right up for Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta? If he does, what happened in the Vatican recently could be the reason why, as he and his wife, Callahan, just got blessed by Pope Leo XIV himself. Although the Pope is known for being a Chicago White Sox fan, he surely didn’t mind having a moment with one of the players of the Chicago Bears’ NFC North division rivals.
“Thank you to a very busy man for blessing me and my bride. A special moment we’ll never forget #catholic #popeleoxiv #catholicismrocks,” La Porta wrote in a post on Instagram that includes photos of him and her wife getting a blessing from the American pope.
LaPorta is coming off a down season in 2024, where he recorded 726 receiving yards and sevent touchdowns on 60 catches and 83 targets through 16 games.
While those aren’t particularly bad numbers, they were lower than what he put up in his rookie season in 2023, in which he had 889 receiving yards and 109 touchdowns on 86 receptions and 120 targets.
Fewer opportunities brought about by the Lions having plenty of talented targets downfield for quarterback Jared Goff contributed to LaPorta’s regression, but the 2025 season brings new hope for the former Iowa Hawkeyes star.
Fans can’t get enough of Detroit Lions TE meeting the Pope
Meanwhile, LaPorta’s social media post has left fans buzzing about the short papal meeting abroad.
“LaGoata is now blessed by the Pope. Record-breaking season incoming 🔥,” said a fan.
Another one said: “my tight end got blessed by the pope he going for 1500 yards 😭🛐”
From a commenter: “i’ve seen enough the pope has blessed our sweet TE1 and he will be all pro 🙌”
“He’s praying that you stop tearing us his Bears every time you play them.
,” a social media user posted.
Via a different commenter: “definitely going up on the wall in St. Paul lol”
Said another: “Unreal bro, God bless you both”
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