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Story summary
- Pope Leo XIV welcomed the Harlem Globetrotters to Vatican City on April 8, 2026.
- During the event, he spun a basketball on his finger, drawing cheers from attendees.
- The encounter signals a Vatican shift to engage younger audiences through sports and entertainment.
- The Pope expressed optimism about a Middle East ceasefire as a sign of lively hope.
- The Vatican is allocating 40% of its media budget to cultural outreach.
