A Delaware County family had a moment on March 18 when they were able to hand Pope Leo a custom-made Philadelphia Flyers jersey during their visit to the Vatican, writes Danylo Chebanenko for 6abc.
The Flyers are making a play this year for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Video of the jersey handoff has gone viral on social media, with tens of thousands of views.
Michael Culin, the biggest Flyers fan in the family, had the jersey made with the help of a friend.
They took their shot when the family saw Pope Leo approaching in the Pope Mobile.
“It happened so quick. He just points at the jersey, gives us a thumbs up, turns to his guy, and points at the jersey, and points at his other guy, and he just grabbed it. I don’t know if you can see it, but that’s him pointing at us… it was amazing,” said Christine Culin and Valerie Giacobbe.
The pope is becoming quite a collector of local sports memorabilia. He got a hat last year from his alma mater, Villanova University.
Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Perez also gifted him a Philadelphia Eagles hat this year.
Read more about Pope Leo, the Culin family, and a Philadelphia Flyers jersey at 6abc.
