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ROME (AP) — An hour after Robert Prevost was elected as the first American pope , Villanova’s athletic director texted sports travel expert John Anthony with the idea.

“It just said, ‘ Villanova – Notre Dame . Basketball game in Vatican City ?’” Anthony said, recounting how he then responded to Eric Roedl a moment later “with all caps, ‘YES. I’M SERIOUS. WE’RE GOING TO DO THIS.’”

Now, 1 ½ years later, the idea is about to become reality: the Villanova and Notre Dame men’s and women’s teams will meet in a doubleheader in Rome — not quite Vatican City, but close enough — on Nov. 1 that will mark the start of the college basketball season.

The Catholic universities are promoting the games as a celebration of their shared mission and heritage.…