By Mallory Mattingly
Peyton Manning wanted to book a big guest on his and brother Eli Manning’s new series, MANNINGCAST.
“I think we should let the people know that you tried to book a big-time guest,” Eli said before asking, “Is it true you failed to book Chicago native, Pope Leo?”
“Yeah, kinda like I failed to recruit Randy Moss to Tennessee, I couldn’t close the Pope,” Peyton revealed. “But I made the effort, Eli. That’s the kind of effort we make here at ESPN2.”
Peyton added that he “tried his hardest” as he wrote two handwritten letters to Cardinal Robert Prevost and even wrote to the Pope’s executive assistant.
“I wrote His Holiness himself, and I wrote his executive assistant. I made the effort,” the former NFL quarterback said before making one final plea to get the Pope’s attention.
Related: How Peyton and Eli Manning Could Unite Americans Through New Football Commentary
“If you’re watching, Your Holiness, come on the show anytime,” Peyton said. “It’s you, Tiger Woods, Bradley Cooper, President [George W.] Bush, Larry David. Y’all are our most wanted for the MANNINGCAST. Come anytime. We’d love to have you, Your Holiness.”
PEOPLE suggests that the Pope’s appearance isn’t “far-fetched” as the spiritual leader and Chicago native recently wore a White Sox hat during an appearance at the Vatican.
Peyton Manning really handwrote a note to The Pope to try to get him on the ManningCast. pic.twitter.com/TivoZF8lT4
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) September 9, 2025
In MANNINGCAST, the brothers, both former NFL quarterbacks, “alternate analysis and commentary during the games while hosting a range of stars on the show,” per ESPN.
Though the brothers won’t be on air every Monday night, football fans can catch the MANNINGCAST on ESPN2 or on streaming via ESPN DTC on the ESPN app various Mondays throughout the season.
Last Monday, actor Bill Murray, former NFL star Randy Moss and current Eagles running back Saquon Barkley joined the Mannings’ show.
While on the show, Moss predicted Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson’s touchdown reception right before it happened.
“I’m going with Justin Jefferson. You’re down 11 with 12 minutes to go; it’s time to get the playmakers the ball down here in the red zone. There he is. He’s showing him on the screen. Let’s get 18 the ball,” Moss said in a video shared by the Minnesota Vikings, one of Moss’s former teams.
Ten seconds later, Jefferson was in the end zone with the football.
Moss and the Manning brothers went nuts as he was the first guest on the MANNINGCAST to make a perfect prediction.
While the Mannings certainly have many to-be-announced all-star guests lined up, football fans will have to wait to see if the Pope makes an appearance.
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