Here’s What Ben Shapiro Said To The Pope At The Vatican

VATICAN CITY — Daily Wire Editor Emeritus Ben Shapiro met with Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday in St. Peter’s Square, thanking him for his “strength in standing for Biblical values in a world of darkness.”

Shapiro was granted a rare opportunity to meet with the pope during the baciamano — a gesture of reverence traditionally reserved for heads of state and diplomats. Shapiro recounted a brief but warm exchange with the pontiff during their meeting.

“I said, ‘Your Holiness, I wanted to express my appreciation for your strength in standing for Biblical values in a world of darkness,’” Shapiro said.

Then, offering a moment of levity, he added: “Also, I’m a lifelong White Sox fan. So while you’re Catholic and I’m Jewish, I think a miracle we can both agree on is the 2005 White Sox winning the World Series.” Shapiro then offered the pope a personal gift, “He smiled at my remark, and then I handed him a White Sox 2005 team signed baseball. He asked if it was a gift, and seemed surprised and delighted that it was — you can see it on the tape.”

Shapiro concluded, “I believe this is a man who truly lives in joy.”

Catholics customarily kiss the ring as part of this tradition, honoring the pope as the successor of Saint Peter. Shapiro, an Orthodox Jew, did not take part in that particular ritual, but approached the pope with visible courtesy and deference, recognizing the significance of the moment.

“The pope is, unsurprisingly, deeply humble,” Shapiro told The Daily Wire. “You can gather that from him in an instant.”

Shapiro described the event as “beautiful — a reminder that Biblical values span the globe, across languages and borders.”

It was an honor to meet His Holiness, @Pontifex in Vatican City today, and to thank him for standing up for Biblical values in a chaotic world…and to present him with a signed 2005 White Sox World Series baseball I had in my collection (we’re both fans). pic.twitter.com/hxlhUnKU7F

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) June 18, 2025

The general audience opened with a reading from the Gospel of John: “Jesus, seeing him lying there and knowing that he had been in that condition for a long time, said to him, ‘Do you want to be healed?’” (John 5:6)

Pope Leo XIV continued his catechesis series on the Jubilee theme “Jesus Christ, Our Hope,” reflecting on the healing of the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda. He emphasized Christ’s offer of interior healing and urged those present to bring their suffering to God “with faith, without fear.”

As is customary, the pope greeted delegations in multiple languages and concluded the audience with the recitation of the Pater Noster and his apostolic blessing. He also issued a public appeal for peace, citing ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, and Iran.

Today’s audience is one of the last for the general public in Rome, as announced by the Vatican earlier this week. Pope Leo XIV has restored the tradition for the pope to reside during the hottest summer months in the mountain town of Castel Gandolfo. It will be from there that the pope will continue his public and private audiences until August 17.

It seems Providence was, indeed, at work for Shapiro—and all who gathered to see the Roman Pontiff, today.