Peyton Manning tried to recruit Pope Leo XIV for Bears ‘ManningCast’ appearance

Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning tried to land a special guest to appear on the “ManningCast” for Monday night’s Bears game — Pope Leo XIV.

During his ESPN2 broadcast of the Bears-Vikings game Monday night, Manning and his brother Eli detailed the work the former did to try to land the Dolton native. Peyton Manning said he sent hand-written invitations to the Bears fan-turned-Pontiff and his executive assistant. He used off-white stationary and envelopes with a red interior.

“I couldn’t close the Pope, but I made the effort,” he said.

Tongue firmly in cheek, he compared it to when he tried — and failed — to recruit receiver Randy Moss to Tennessee.

Manning said the Pope has an “open invitation” to join the show. He listed other guests he wants, too: comedian Larry David, golfer Tiger Woods, actor Bradley Cooper and former President George W. Bush.

Another famous Chicago sports fan, Bill Murray, was among the guests Monday night.