Peyton Manning makes bold move with handwritten letters asking Pope Leo to join ManningCast during Monday Night Football

Peyton Manning, the two-time Super Bowl champion, revealed on Monday night, September 8, 2025, during ESPN2’s “ManningCast,” that he tried to book Pope Leo XIV as a guest for the broadcast.

The show aired during the Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game at Soldier Field in Chicago. Manning explained that he personally wrote two letters by hand, one to “His Holiness” Pope Leo XIV and another to his executive assistant, inviting him to appear on the popular football broadcast.

Peyton Manning’s hand-written letters and open invite to Pope Leo XIV

Speaking in the third quarter of the game, Peyton said, “I tried my hardest… Look at these two hand-written letters I wrote. I wrote his Holiness, himself, and I wrote his executive assistant… I made the effort… and if you’re watching your Holiness, this is an open invitation to come on the show anytime.”

Peyton Manning, who co-hosts the program with his brother Eli Manning, compared this failed attempt to his earlier football days. “Kind of like when I failed to recruit Randy Moss to Tennessee, I couldn’t close the Pope. But I made the effort, Eli. And that’s the kind of effort we make here at ESPN2.”

Eli Manning, special guests, and the big night in Chicago

Eli Manning laughed as his brother shared the story, while viewers saw the two letters on the screen. Peyton Manning also noted that Pope Leo XIV, who grew up in Chicago and attended Villanova, was on the “most wanted” guest list for the show.

Other names on that list include Tiger Woods, Bradley Cooper, President George Bush, and comedian Larry David. Peyton Manning said directly on air, “Y’all are on our most wanted list for the ‘ManningCast.’ Come anytime, we’d love to have you, your Holiness.”Also Read: Eagles Star Jalen Carter Fined $57K And Suspension Served After Spitting On Dak PrescottThat night, the broadcast did welcome several other stars. Actor Bill Murray, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss joined as guests on the show.

The moment added humor and surprise to a game where the Minnesota Vikings made a fourth-quarter comeback to beat the Chicago Bears 27-24.Just a week earlier, Pope Leo XIV had received a custom University of Tennessee jersey, Peyton’s alma mater, as a gift. Peyton Manning’s effort to connect with the Pope added even more curiosity for fans watching at home. With the Bears set to face the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football on October 13, Peyton did not confirm if he would try again to bring Pope Leo XIV onto the “ManningCast.”