Ben Shapiro Meets With Pope Leo at Vatican, Gifts Him With Memento From Home

Famous commentator Ben Shapiro recently had an audience with Pope Leo XIV, discussing matters with the newly elected American head of the Catholic Church at the Vatican on a recent Wednesday.

41-year-old Shapiro established The Daily Wire, a news site leaning towards conservatism, in 2015 as he gained popularity within the realm of right-wing podcasts. He voiced support for Pope Leo XIV upon his selection as Catholic leader in May, suggesting that he thought Pope Leo would steer clear from the liberal positions held by his predecessor. Yesterday, the conservative media figure, who is Jewish, uploaded a picture on X.com and informed his 7.8 million followers about the event.

Shapiro shared on X on Wednesday that it was a privilege to encounter His Holiness, @Pontifex, in Vatican City today. He expressed his gratitude for his commitment to upholding Biblical principles amidst the world’s turmoil, and presented him with a 2005 White Sox World Series baseball signed by himself – as they share a common fandom.

In his following message, he remarked: “Just as I shared with Pope Leo, we may have different religious backgrounds (Catholic and Jewish), but the 2005 White Sox’s World Series win serves as a miraculous event that unites us all.

On Wednesday, Bradley Bishop, a journalist from The Daily Wire, informed The Hollywood Reporter via email that Shapiro had asked for an audience with the Pope and was promptly given an opportunity to meet.

On Wednesday, Shapiro had a meeting with Pope Leo in St. Peter’s Square within Vatican City, as mentioned in a post on The Daily Wire. This encounter took place during the customary “baciamano” ceremony, which is usually reserved for heads of state and visiting diplomats, but Shapiro was granted special permission to attend.

Or:

According to a report by The Daily Wire, Shapiro met Pope Leo in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, during the traditional “baciamano” ceremony on Wednesday. This ritual is typically for heads of state and diplomats visiting the Vatican, but it was Shapiro who was allowed to attend this time.

In the photo he shared on Twitter, Shapiro can be seen grasping a card and a parcel in his left and right hands. The items were actually a present intended for the newly appointed Pope.

Shapiro stated that he offered a 2005 White Sox team-signed baseball to him after his smile at my comment, and the man seemed both surprised and thrilled when he realized it was a gift. His reaction, evident on the recording, suggests that this is indeed a person who radiates joy.

According to TDW’s report, the influential figure in conservative media called the occurrence “stunning – an illustration of Bible-based principles being universal, transcending languages and frontiers.

As a gamer, I could say: I’m just this guy who hails from Chicago, born back in ’55, but my journey took an unexpected turn when I found myself immersed in missionary work in Peru during the 80s and 90s. Fast forward to today, I’ve climbed the ranks, serving as prior general of the Order of Saint Augustine, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome, president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America – and here’s the twist: people now know me as Pope Leo, the first American pope. Quite a game, isn’t it?

Shapiro isn’t the only notable figure to meet the newly appointed Pope. On Monday, legendary actor Al Pacino had an audience with the Pope while in Italy filming a movie titled “Maserati: The Brothers“, which focuses on the renowned car designers. As a gesture for the upcoming film, Pacino presented the Pope with a miniature Maserati as a keepsake.

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2025-06-18 22:24