Did Pope Leo XIV say he’d cheer for Peru over the U.S.? Yes—but the quote is taken out of context and misinterpreted.
Social media posts claimed that Pope Leo XIV said he would “probably” cheer for Peru over the United States in a FIFA World Cup matchup. The claim is partly true but misleading without context.
The quote is real. In an interview, Pope Leo XIV was asked which team he would support if the United States played Peru. He responded, “probably Peru,” referencing his personal connection to the country.
However, the context is critical. The pope explained that his answer was based on “affective bonds”—meaning emotional ties—not political preference or national disloyalty.
Pope Leo XIV has deep ties to Peru. Although American-born, he spent a significant portion of his religious career there and has strong personal and pastoral connections to the country.
He also clarified that his support for Peru was not exclusive. In the same discussion, he mentioned he also follows other teams, including Italy, indicating a broader and more personal approach to sports fandom rather than a political statement.
The viral posts often omit this context, presenting the quote as evidence of anti-American sentiment or political bias. In reality, the comment was made casually in response to a hypothetical sports question and reflects the pope’s dual cultural ties rather than any ideological stance.
There is no evidence that the pope framed his answer as political or intended it as a statement about U.S. policy or identity. The controversy largely stems from how the quote was shared and interpreted online.
Final Verdict: Mostly True ⚖️ Pope Leo XIV did say he would “probably” cheer for Peru in a hypothetical World Cup scenario, but the statement is misleading when presented without context about his personal ties and non-political intent.
References
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/pope-leo-peru-world-cup/