Religion/ Spirituality

The boy band gods were clearly watching over the Vatican ... 'cause Harry Styles casually showed up in the massive crowd gathered to welcome new Pope Leo XIV!

Totally random, and there’s photo proof and everything -- Harry was right there in the crowd, rocking shades, a popped blue collar, and a gray hat that fans pointed out reads "Techno is My Boyfriend."

A fan shared the photo, and the caption -- which was translated from Turkish -- says she spotted Harry walking by in St. Peter's Square, their eyes met, and she just had to snap the moment.

Before it was Pope Leo, it was "Let's go White Sox" for Robert Prevost ... as an unearthed photo shows the new pope cheered on the Pale Hose in person at a 2005 World Series game.

In the picture -- which was obtained by The Chicago Sun-Times shortly after Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV on Thursday -- you can see the new pontiff chatting on a phone at U.S. Cellular Field as some of his close friends posed for a picture inches away.

According to Sports Illustrated, the image was from either Game 1 or Game 2 of the Series against the Houston Astros. The Sox won both -- the first by a score of 5-3, and the next 7-6. They went on to win the whole shebang, four games to none.

Robert Prevost is just like the rest of us -- he played Wordle with his brother and watched the movie "Conclave" before becoming the first American to be voted leader of the Catholic Church and taking the name Leo XIV.

Pope Leo's brother John Prevost spoke about the "surreal" moment with NBC Chicago, noting his brother playing the popular New York Times game as well as Words with Friends with him served as "something to keep his mind off of life in the real world."

John made sure to keep things light-hearted with his brother before he entered the papal conclave, joking with him to remember his red socks and asking if he watched "Conclave" so he would "know how to behave." To his amusement, Pope Leo replied he had indeed studied up by watching the 2024 film.

The Knicks have inspired belief and confidence in their fanbase after going up 2-0 on the Celtics ... but legendary film director and diehard backer Spike Lee believes there’s a more divine reason the New York fans can expect a title this season -- the new Pope!!

Apparently, Spike is all about Leo XIV because Robert Francis Prevost is a Villanova grad. Villanova -- the only Augustinian Catholic university in the United States -- is also the alma mater of three Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges.

If you ask Spike -- a regular at Knicks games -- the 'Nova connection is a sign from God his squad is going to win it all this season.

The world just got the first look at the new Holy Father, and he's making history in another way as well ... because the leader of the Catholic Church is the first American to become the Pontiff.

Robert Prevost walked out onto the Basilica balcony in St. Peter's Square overlooking thousands of congregants in the Vatican City and announced his official papal name Thursday evening.

Prevost, a Chicago native who's now a Peruvian citizen, declared he would take the name Leo XIV.

White smoke is pouring out the chimney of the Sistine Chapel ... so, the world officially has a new pope.

The smoke began coming out just moments ago ... and, the bells of the chapel have been rung -- two of the biggest indicators that leaders in the Catholic Church have chosen a new pope.

We don't know who it is yet ... but, Dominique Mamberti -- the senior cardinal deacon -- who should appear on St. Peter's Balcony to say "Habemus Papam" or "We have a pope" in Latin.

Pope Francis' death means the church needs to hold a conclave ... and, 'cause it's been more than a decade since the last one, some are looking to an Oscar-winning movie for a refresher.

According to Politico, a few Cardinals in the church are sitting down and watching "Conclave" starring Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini and Stanley Tucci ... just to pick up a few pointers before the real thing kicks off.

The last conclave was held in 2013, when Pope Francis was chosen after two days and multiple ballots ... and, many clerics in the church now were appointed by Francis -- and took no part in that event.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born to Italian immigrant parents in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, in 1936, the oldest of five children. He attended a Catholic grade school, then graduated from a trade high school with a chemical technician diploma, going on to work in a food laboratory.

By the time he was 21 years old, he had endured pneumonia so severe it threatened his life, and suffered cysts on a lung ... prompting surgery to remove part of one of his lungs. That would affect the rest of his life, even to his final days.

At 22, he was inspired to study at an Argentine seminary, and three years later traveled to Chile to study further. At 24, he formally took steps to become a Jesuit back in Argentina, and he was ordained as a priest in 1969, at 33, and in 1973, he took his final vows as a Jesuit.

Dave Portnoy isn't joking around about an antisemitic sign that appeared in one of his bars last night ... posting a video screaming about how upset he is -- and promising everyone involved is going to be educated.

The Barstool Sports founder took to social media Sunday to address a viral video going around of a waitress at Barstool Sansom Street in Philadelphia holding a sign which reads, in all caps, "F*** THE JEWS."

Dave explains the sign isn't something a staff member came up with ... but one provided when you purchase bottle service -- with a message the buyer crafts.

Donald Trump is once again blending politics with punchlines -- this time, with a heavenly twist.

The President posted an A.I.-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope on social media on Friday. The A.I. picture shows DT wearing the full look that the everyday Pope wears.

The internet has been reacting to the photo with mixed emotions ... some find it offensive, while others find it humorous.

Justin Bieber's pastor is laughing at claims his church is actually a cult ... cracking jokes about the label and claiming that -- if the church were a cult -- it'd be the worst in history.

Judah Smith posted a clip to his Instagram Friday ... revealing he recently got out of his car, and paparazzi immediately surrounded him, with one -- a "nice lady," as Smith puts it -- asking him point-blank if he runs a cult.

Smith says he wasn't expecting the question ... before turning to the side of the stage and jokingly asking stagehands to "bring out the snakes," adding they've got some blood for rituals.

President Trump's doing what he's known for -- firing people ... but this time it's a bunch of board members at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum who were appointed by Joe Biden.

Kamala Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, was among those fired by Trump.

In a statement, the former Second Gentleman tells TMZ ... "Today, I was informed of my removal from the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. Let me be clear: Holocaust remembrance and education should never be politicized. To turn one of the worst atrocities in history into a wedge issue is dangerous -- and it dishonors the memory of six million Jews murdered by Nazis that this museum was created to preserve."

Donald Trump's endorsing a controversial public figure to become the next head of the Catholic Church -- himself!

The President of the United States was asked Tuesday who he thinks should ascend to the role following Pope Francis' death ... and, he immediately responded he's his own No. 1 choice for the job.

It's clear President Trump is joking here ... following up the comment by saying he doesn't really have a preference -- though there's a cardinal from New York he thinks could handle the job.

Deion Sanders isn't letting his son's NFL draft waiting game ruin his spirits ... telling TMZ Sports the Man Upstairs is just as great as he was before Shedeur fell to the fifth round.

We caught up with the Colorado Buffaloes head coach and Hall of Famer at LAX fresh off Shedeur joining the Cleveland Browns with the No. 144 pick ... and despite all the chatter surrounding how it played out, he hammered home a message of faith.

Deion was in good spirits about it all ... saying, "You know how good God is" when asked if he was pleased with how things turned out.

Pastor T.D. Jakes suffering a heart attack during a November sermon was one of the dominoes that led to him taking on a reduced role at his megachurch.

Reps for Jakes tell TMZ ... the heart attack, emergency surgery and ensuing recovery are some of the reasons he's taking a step back from his role as pastor of The Potter's House of Dallas.

We're told Jakes spent a lot of time recovering from the heart issue, and it's affecting him to some degree.

Pastor T.D. Jakes is stepping back from his duties in his megachurch ... announcing his successors months after a medical incident onstage ended with him on the operating table.

The pastor -- who served as the head of The Potter's House church since he founded it back in 1996 -- told the church Sunday that he would be handing over his duties to Sarah Jakes Roberts and Toure Roberts, his daughter and her husband.

Jakes released a long statement about his departure ... citing the need to address major economic issues of the time as part of the impetus for his decision -- claiming he wants to focus on "serving as a bridge between community, culture, and corporate alliances to help position our nation for a stronger future."