From John Paul II to Leo XIV: a football shirt connecting Poland and Peru
Some football shirts remind us of unforgettable matches. Others tell stories that go far beyond the pitch. This one begins in Poland, takes us to Chiclayo in Peru, and returns in white and gold.
At the heart of it is Juan Pablo II College, a football club from Chongoyape, Peru, named in honour of Pope John Paul II. For a Polish fan, discovering a club with such a name is already surprising. In 2026, however, the story gained an extraordinary new chapter.
From John Paul II to Pope Leo XIV
When Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV in 2025, Chiclayo remembered him as the bishop who had served its community for years. His personal connection to Peru makes the club’s tribute all the more meaningful.
Two papal names now meet in an unexpected place: the story of a football team in northern Peru. John Paul II in the club’s name. Leo XIV on a special shirt. Two continents, one shared story, with football providing the language.
Chiclayo, woven into a football shirt
The defining feature of this edition is an illustration of the Cathedral of Saint Mary in Chiclayo. Its architecture stretches across the white fabric, evoking a place closely associated with the future pope.
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Chiclayo on 13–14 November 2026. According to the Vatican’s published programme, a ceremony is planned at the Cathedral of Saint Mary on 14 November — the very cathedral represented on the front of the shirt.
It is more than a graphic. It is a place, a memory and a piece of history reimagined in football colours.
Three details, one story
- Cathedral of Saint Mary: a grey architectural illustration against the white shirt.
- Golden Juan Pablo II College crest: the emblem of the Peruvian club named after the Polish pope.
- LEÓN 14: golden lettering and a football-style number on the back, honouring Pope Leo XIV.
Why this shirt belongs in a collection
Collecting football shirts is not only about colours, badges or famous clubs. Sometimes it is about being able to say: “I know the story behind this one.”
The limited Juan Pablo II College Leo XIV 2026 shirt brings together a small Peruvian club, a Polish connection, and a tribute to a pope whose life is intertwined with Chiclayo. It is a club football tribute, not official Vatican merchandise.
At BOX2BOX, we believe the most compelling football stories often begin far from the biggest stadiums. As an official sponsor of Juan Pablo II College, we are proud to share the club’s original shirts with collectors in Europe.
Discover the LEÓN XIV 2026 shirt
White fabric. Golden details. Chiclayo Cathedral on the front and LEÓN 14 on the back. A special edition for anyone who believes a football shirt can carry a world of meaning.
Pre-order: dispatch within 14 days of ordering.
➜ Discover the LEÓN XIV 2026 shirt at BOX2BOX
Historical sources: official biography of Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican programme for his apostolic journey.