Pope Leo gifted unexpected item and people were quick to spot major 'contrast' from JD Vance's present

It's been just shy of a month since Pope Leo XIV ascended to the Head of the Catholic Church, and still, the new pontiff is being bestowed with gifts from adoring associates.

Several weeks ago, the United States VP, JD Vance, went viral for presenting the former Cardinal Robert Prevost with a questionable donation during an appearance in the Vatican for his papal inauguration.

Joined by wife Usha - as well as several other political leaders including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy - Vance attended the 69-year-old pope's special ceremony in St Peter's Square on 18 May, an event overlooked by thousands of spectators.

The right-wing politician stood in for US President Donald Trump, who was himself taking part in warfare talks in the Middle East.

During the visit, 40-year-old Vance handed Pope Leo - the first ever American to be elected to the powerful religious position - a pretty controversial gift.

The item in question was a Chicago Bears American Football jersey, which the pontiff appeared surprised to receive.

Critics later expressed their confusion over Vance's gift, being that the US-born pope is famously a fan of baseball, and has shown no support of NFL before.

Slamming the gift on Twitter, one jibed: "He likes the White Sox…".

Another pointed out: "Lol ik he's lifelong baseball fan, the fact that they brought that with no prove of him supporting that team is kind of funny..".

This week, however, in total contrast Pope Leo appeared visibly thrilled to receive another gift, delivered on behalf of Villanova University, a Catholic liberal arts university run by the Order of St. Augustine in Pennsylvania, where he studied maths.

The religious leader attended said institution before his graduation in 1977.

This week, as seen in footage shared by Vatican TV (and reposted by NBC), representatives from Villanova presented Pope Leo with a white baseball cap, after which he immediately snapped it onto his head.

A colossal smile was subsequently plastered across his face - something spectators online immediately picked up on, noting the stark contrast between this instance, and Vance's visit to the Vatican.

Taking to social media, one joked: "Pope Leo getting an invitation to the White House: 🥱 that’s nice. Pope Leo getting a baseball cap: 🤩 heck yeah!!"

Another pointed out: "The contrast between this and when [Vance] gave him the jersey is INSANE."

"Wait, Vance gave the Pope a JERSEY?!?" a third questioned.

A fourth went on: "Pope Leo really flexing that alma mater pride.. love to see it."

"Pope Leo XIV is Looking good in that hat," another gushed.

"So much more upbeat with this than Vance’s visit," wrote a sixth.

Political experts predict Pope Leo will butt heads with both Trump and Vance in the coming years, having spoken out against their right-wing political beliefs for some time.