NJ museum owner gives Pope Leo XIV pieces of sports history
SEWELL, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Parting with a prized possession can give you pause. But for the Pope, Nicholas DePace said it was a no-brainer.
DePace, a cardiovascular doctor, moonlights as an avid sports collector and director of the DePace Sports Museum, Library, and Learning Center.
As a kid, he remembers taking catechism courses and watching the Pope deliver mass on a black-and-white television.
And in March 2026, he had the chance to meet Pope Leo XIV in person.
DePace presented the Pope with an autographed game-used football from the Chicago Bears 1946 champion season. He also delivered an autographed White Sox championship portrait and a custom Villanova jersey.
Watch the video above to see what the experience meant to him.
The DePace Sports Museum is open by appointment only. Anyone interested in learning more can visit their website.
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