The Pope is coming to the United States today, and it’s a pretty big deal – even for baseball. Last week, the Philadelphia Phillies gave away “Pope Rookie Cards,” featuring the pontiff and providing his stats.

Last year around this time, Pope Francis made baseball headlines with his attempt at catching a ball tossed to him in St. Peter’s Square. As the New York Daily News reported, “The ball bounced from his extended right hand and fell to the ground – along with his skullcap. If you’re scoring at home, that’s no error on the Pope. He’s infallible.”

It seems like everyone is catching Pope Fever, even my favorite local team, the Bowie Baysox:

Happy Pope Week!

~ baseballrebecca