Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, was recently spotted wearing a pair of vintage Nike sneakers in a Vatican documentary trailer, drawing attention from sneaker enthusiasts worldwide. The sneakers, initially hard to identify, were later confirmed as the Nike Franchise Low Plus from the '70s and '80s.
From Chicago to the Vatican
Pope Leo XIV, originally from Chicago, often displays his love for his hometown sports teams, notably wearing a Chicago White Sox hat. His background includes a degree from Villanova, where he was an avid basketball fan, even writing about the team during their championship runs in the mid-2010s. His real name is Bob, adding a down-to-earth touch to his papal image.
Spotting the Swoosh
The Vatican released a trailer for a documentary titled Leone a Roma, depicting the Pope's early days in Rome. In one scene, he is seen wearing an all-white outfit with the Nikes clearly visible. Sneakerheads quickly took to the internet to identify the shoes, which sport a simple white and black design.
Ben Serlith of JustFreshKicks was the first to uncover the shoe's identity after scouring sneaker eBay. The sneakers were part of a rerelease in 2008, likely when the Pope acquired them. The exact date of the archival footage remains unknown.
Simplicity in Style
Pope Leo XIV's choice of footwear appears to reflect his preference for simplicity. He previously rejected a pair of ornate papal shoes from Vatican shoemaker Adriano Stefanelli, opting instead for plain black shoes. Despite this understated approach, he is also rumored to own a Rhude letterman jacket, blending simplicity with occasional flair.
While Leo XIV's choice of the Nike Franchise Lows has made headlines, his history with Chicago sports raises hopes among fans that he might one day be seen in a pair of Air Jordans.
Source: https://www.gq.com/story/pope-leo-xiv-wore-nikes
