Peyton Manning reveals handwritten notes he wrote for Pope Leo XIV to join ManningCast

The ManningCast returned alongside Monday Night Football’s Week 1 matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. They added a star-studded guest list as well, including Bill Murray, Saquon Barkley & Randy Moss.

However, Peyton Manning revealed that he tried to get a fourth guest on the show — Chicago’s own Pope Leo XIV. Manning even wrote him, and his assistant, handwritten letters in an attempt to have the supreme pontiff on their show.

Peyton Manning really handwrote a note to The Pope to try to get him on the ManningCast. pic.twitter.com/TivoZF8lT4

— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) September 9, 2025

“Kind of like (how) I failed to recruit Randy Moss to Tennessee — I couldn’t close the Pope, but I made the effort,” Manning revealed during Week 1’s Manningcast. “Eli, that’s the kind of effort we make here at ESPN2. I tried my hardest. Look at these two handwritten letters I wrote.

“I wrote to His Holiness himself, and I wrote to his executive assistant handwritten. I made the effort. Look, these are handwritten letters. And if you’re watching your holiness, this is an open invitation.”

It appears that the Pope did not return Manning’s mail. Though, he may be watching the game. The Chicago-native is a known supporter of his hometown’s support teams, namely the Chicago White Sox but is a fan of the Bears as well.

This led to a bit of back and forth between the Sox and the city’s other baseball team, the Cubs. The Cubs claimed the pope as their own with a sign on their marquee. However, the record has since been set straight by family friends.

Additionally, Pope Leo XIV was recently presented a Chicago Bears jersey with his holy moniker on it during a trip to the White House by vice president JD Vance. “Good choice,” he told Vance.

Bears head coach Ben Johnson addressed His Holiness’ fondness for his hometown Bears during rookie minicamp. Perhaps he’ll be at a game or two down the stretch in the coming years.

“I’ve heard rumblings,” Johnson said at the time. “But that hasn’t been discussed too much firsthand.”

While the ManningCast had to move forward without a confirmation from Pope Leo XIV, Manning said he’s welcome on the show whenever he wants. He also listed a host of other names that he’d like to get on the show at some point.

“Come on the show anytime,” Manning said. “It’s you, it’s Tiger Woods, it’s Bradley Cooper, it’s President (George W.) Bush, it’s Larry David. Y’all are our most wanted on that list for the ManningCast. Come anytime, we’d love to have you, Your Holiness.”