“Peace be with all of you,” begins Robert Francis Prevost, a.k.a Pope Leo XVI, from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after being elected the first US-born pontiff. Thousands were engrossed to hear the first words of the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter—it was a moment of profound significance and historical resonance, until one could notice something that no one would ever imagine. Well, what if we told you that soccer just made its way into the event—and just so you know, it’s all because of the Marta effect!

Yes, the very same Brazilian forward you’ve seen light up the pitch with her extraordinary goals and flair. And before you start asking questions, let’s set the scene to show how the Orlando Pride star might just have played a role in putting both herself and her NWSL club on the global map!

Well, during Pope Leo XVI’s address, an X user named @anakenn shared a unique picture on the Elon Musk-owned platform. In the tweet, a nun attending the pontiff’s election was seen holding up her phone—naturally, to record the moment like everyone else in the crowd. But what actually caught the user’s eye was the back cover of the nun’s phone, which appeared to feature an Orlando Pride sticker or a case repping the NWSL team’s logo.

Wanting to confirm her hunch, the netizen shared the picture with a caption that read: “Need someone to confirm but I believe this is an Orlando Pride sticker at the Vatican while Pope Leo XIV is addressing the crowd.” Interestingly, while other netizens jumped into the conversation to give their views, moments later, Orlando Pride’s official X account admin retweeted with a caption saying, “The Pride are worldwide 🗣.”

In fact, it didn’t end here. The Pride even shared this incident on their Instagram handle with another proud caption saying, “All around the world 🌎.” 

Who would have thought right? Honestly, no one saw this coming. Forget Orlando Pride, the entire league itself has received a subtle and unexpected shout out that was never in the script. And then, you ask? Well, it only had to leave the entire NWSL community in disbelief, who could not contain themselves but obsess over this random spotting.

Marta and Orlando Pride go global, making NWSL fans go berserk

One has to admit—2025 is indeed full of surprises because witnessing a moment like this wasn’t even the last thing we expected to happen. But now that it has, the entire National Women’s Soccer League community, along with fans around the world, have flooded the comments section with some seeking meaning to it all, while Orlando Pride fans are simply basking in a rare moment of global recognition.

Well, not to state the obvious, but many might assume that the nun is an Orlando Pride fan—and in a way, that could be true. But this particular X user has a theory about why she follows the NWSL side. The reason? None other than the team’s star player, Marta. Honestly, we can’t say we’d be surprised if that turned out to be true, considering the kind of impact this iconic Brazilian forward has had on soccer fans around the world: “I’m gonna say that’s the Marta Effect.”

Hear us out: let’s assume this nun became an Orlando Pride fan because of Marta. But do you know what would make this moment even more special? If the netizen’s theory is right and the nun is actually from Brazil, too. That would make perfect sense to us, especially given the immense backing Marta has in her homeland: “A Brazilian nun would 100% have this sticker 🙌”

Then again, moving the spotlight away from one person for a moment, we have to acknowledge the global fan following that Orlando Pride has built. After years of hard work and the times when they were desperately chasing success just to climb the ranks and make their mark on the American women’s soccer landscape, this kind of recognition might be the least they deserve: “ORLANDO PRIDE IS MASSIVE”

Now, that’s what we call Carpe diem, seizing the day indeed because an Orlando Pride sticker was spotted on a nun’s phone case—during Pope Leo XVI’s gathering, no less—this fan is hoping the soccer gods shine on the NWSL side and guide them to a crucial three points in their upcoming game. Honestly, we’re just wondering why this X user didn’t go ahead and ask for another NWSL Shield and Championship repeat… but never mind! “Pride fan at the Vatican? Pope Leo and the football gods blessing us with 3pts this weekend for sure.”

Then again, the real talking point comes down to the growing popularity of the NWSL. As Alexis Ohanian once said, “The NWSL will be bigger than MLS one day,” and honestly, we think it’s about time everyone starts accepting that. It’s not just because no one’s ever spotted a nun’s phone case flaunting an MLS crest, but because of the undeniable growth this women’s league has seen over the years. “THIS IS ACTUALLY SO FUNNY WE REALLY ARE THE BEST LEAGUE.”

Be that as it may, this is just a glimpse of the reactions that poured in, as many others took to the internet to talk about this unusual moment in soccer history. And credit to where it’s due—a big shout out to the X user who managed to make such a sharp spot. As for the rest, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!