Legendary filmmaker Spike Lee surprised fans recently by revealing a side of himself that the public rarely sees — a moment so unusual that many longtime followers did a double take before believing it was real.

Lee, now 68, is practically synonymous with his signature hats. Whether he’s directing on set, attending awards shows, or sitting courtside at Madison Square Garden screaming support for his beloved New York Knicks, the Oscar-winning director can almost always be spotted wearing one of his trademark caps. The Brooklyn native is especially fond of Yankees and Knicks headgear, a fashion habit he’s maintained for decades (The Guardian).

Spike Lee Meets Pope Leo XIV — and Leaves the Hat Behind

On Nov. 15, Lee traveled to Vatican City as one of several Hollywood artists invited to join Pope Leo XIV for a special gathering celebrating cinema. Other prominent attendees included American director Greta Gerwig and Australian actress Cate Blanchett, who together participated in conversations about the global impact of filmmaking (AP News).

But it wasn’t just Lee’s presence that made headlines across international outlets — it was the fact that, for once, he showed up capless.

The “Do the Right Thing” director arrived bearing a gift for the pontiff: a signed New York Knicks jersey featuring the number 14, a nod both to the Pope’s papal title and to the three Knicks players — Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges — who, like Pope Leo, graduated from Villanova University before launching their NBA careers (ESPN reporting).

Lee shared the moment on Instagram, writing:

“This afternoon in Vatican City, I presented Pope Leo with a New York Knicks Brand Jordan jersey. The pontiff graduated from Villanova, and so did Brunson, Hart, and Bridges. Orange and blue skies. Ya-dig. Sho-nuff.”

Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago in 1955, earned his mathematics degree from Villanova in 1977 — a detail that made the gift even more personal.

Fans Lose Their Minds Over Seeing Spike Without a Hat

While global news outlets covered Lee’s unexpected Vatican visit and his basketball-themed present, social media users were far more fixated on something else entirely: Spike Lee’s bare head.

“Spike without a hat??? Let me go play the lotto,” one commenter joked under a Complex Pop Instagram post.

Another added, “I think this is the first time I’ve seen Spike Lee without a hat.”
A third wrote, “I honestly thought this was AI — no way this is real.”

To many fans, the sight was so unfamiliar that it bordered on surreal. For decades, Lee’s hats have been as iconic as his films, his courtside antics, and even his bold color-blocked outfits. Seeing him uncovered felt like witnessing a cultural anomaly.

Fans Joke About the Knicks Needing Papal Intervention

Others shifted focus to the gift itself, joking that the Knicks — who haven’t won an NBA championship since 1973 — could use every blessing they can get.

“The Knicks need everything they can get,” one New Yorker sighed.
Another fan teased, “You know he threw that straight in the trash. Leo is on some real Chitown sh—,” referencing the Pope’s Chicago roots.

Why the Jersey? Spike Lee Explains

In an interview with Vatican News, Lee broke down his choice of gift.

“Here’s the story. The Pope went to Villanova,” he said. “And the Knicks have three players from Villanova. So it’s Brand Jordan, city edition, New York Knicks jersey. He’s the 14th Pope [Leo], so it has 14 on it.”

The calculation behind the present — personal, symbolic, and tied to basketball lore — was classic Spike Lee.

Spike Lee’s 50-Year Love Affair With Hats

For fans stunned to see the filmmaker hatless, Lee has already explained his style philosophy. In a 2019 Guardian piece, he reflected on wearing New Era caps for the past 50 years and how hats became part of his fashion DNA.

“In terms of my fashion in general, I don’t really say ‘let me dress fashionable,’ I just dress how I dress,” he wrote. “The big things for me are: wear something colorful and wear something comfortable.”

He also admitted that his wardrobe is heavily influenced by Knicks colors:
“I don’t have to have Yankees or Knicks stuff on me all the time, but a lot of my clothes are orange and blue. I will admit to that.”

A Rare Moment That Will Live Online Forever

While Spike Lee’s meeting with Pope Leo XIV was a historic cultural crossover, fans will remember this moment for something far simpler: the day Spike Lee stepped into the Vatican without a hat.

Some memories stick not because they’re monumental — but because they’re unbelievably unexpected.