Pope Leo gets Terrible Towel during Vatican visit from Saint Vincent College leaders

There is an official Vatican picture that is taking Steelers Nation by storm.

Pope Leo XIV was given a Terrible Towel when he was visited by Saint Vincent College leaders at the Vatican.

Saint Vincent College said the pope personally received President Rev. Paul R. Taylor and Seminary Rector Very Rev. Edward Mazich at the Vatican on May 13. 

They talked about Benedictine education in the United States and brought some gifts. Pope Leo was given a Saint Vincent College Training Camp edition of the Terrible Towel. While the college is home to the largest monastery in the Benedictine Confederation, it's also home to the Pittsburgh Steelers every summer for training camp. 

"Will the pope, who's American-born, Chicago native, and a Bears fan, be converting to a Pittsburgh Steeler fan?" asked KDKA's Chris DeRose.

"You know, Chris, I can tell you, I'm good, but I don't know if I am that good," joked Taylor. "Pope Leo received the Terrible Towel with a big smile, but I could tell that there was this inner Bears fan saying, 'well, I don't know if I can hold this Terrible Towel,' but he did. He was gracious and he had a big smile. And he knew the NFL and American football is a big part of our culture and from where he is from."

Taylor also said that they presented the pope with a piece of artwork from a Saint Vincent alum and a world-renowned artist.

"Roman Verostko, this artist, is displayed internationally at the Victoria and Albert in London and at the Whitney in New York, and now at the Vatican," said Taylor. "And it is precisely this articulation of art that Roman worked through his own faith. This piece was called 'The Cloud of Unknowing.' And so Roman, as he grew in his faith and struggled with his faith, he produced art pieces that were a manifestation of that."

Above all, Taylor says the meeting was humbling and while no trip to the U.S. for Pope Leo has been announced, we couldn't help but wonder if he'd come to Saint Vincent any time soon. 

"We certainly invited the Pope," said Father Paul. "And I think you all know that we don't go anywhere without inviting someone to come to Saint Vincent because hospitality is what we do."

The Steelers will return to Saint Vincent College on July 28 for their 59th year of training camp in Latrobe.