Being a celebrity can sometimes be difficult, and no one understands this better than Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. Whether it’s about matters off the court rather than on it, James’ name frequently appears in the headlines even when he has no actual connection to the situation.
This was the case following the recent papal conclave. Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the new pope on the fourth ballot, succeeding Pope Francis after his death.
In an interview with ABC News, the new pope’s brother, John Prevost, recalled a moment from the first grade when someone told Robert that he would one day become pope.
Interestingly, LeBron James’ name surfaced in connection with the story shortly after the interview aired. A user on X jokingly speculated that perhaps LeBron was the neighbor who made the prophetic statement to the young Prevost.
That neighbor? LeBron James. https://t.co/1xUdoiIqAY
— Yaya Dubin (@JADubin5) May 8, 2025
This light-hearted theory sparked a wave of similar responses from fans online.
One fan commented, “Can only be Him.”
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Can only be Him.
— LindoM (@LindoM45) May 9, 2025
Another fan imagined LeBron saying something like, “So I see this guy and I tell him ‘you’re gonna be the first American pope one day.’ Idk, I just had a feeling.”
“So I see this guy and I tell him ‘you’re gonna be the first American pope one day.’ Idk, I just had a feeling” pic.twitter.com/7GGu3oz3tm
— OTL (@OTLFFootball) May 9, 2025
Yet another added, “I knew that, I knew it will come to him, I just feel it the moment I saw it, yeah of course.”
“I knew that, I knew it will come to him, I just feel it the moment I saw it, yeah of course.”
— RAY (@raynoor_) May 9, 2025
Other fans joined the fun with playful nicknames.
“LePopePredictor,” one fan wrote.
LePopePredictor
— Sleeper (@SleeperHQ) May 9, 2025
Another one added, “LeConclave Prophet.”
LeConclave Prophet
— Arief Rahman Sarif (@arifagon_) May 9, 2025
LeBron James Reflects On The Lakers’ Early Exit
On his Mind The Game podcast, LeBron James addressed the media narratives that followed the Lakers’ early playoff exit at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves. James pointed out that success in the NBA depends on the collective effort, not just individual stars.
“I’ve definitely learned over the years that teams win championships. Always… I don’t lose sleep over that like, ‘F***, how did me and Luka lose?’ Well, there’s 8 other guys on the floor,” James said.
The Lakers were convincingly defeated in the series, losing 4-1 to Minnesota. This marked their second consecutive first-round playoff elimination. Even with the addition of Luka Doncic, the Lakers ultimately fell short of expectations.
