Pope Leo XIV’s brother spilled the beans to NBC Chicago that the pope is actually a Chicago White Sox fan. The big question on everyone’s mind when Pope Leo XIV was named the 268th pope on Thursday was whether he roots for the Cubs or the White Sox. Turns out, he’s a loyal supporter of the South Side team, much to the delight of White Sox fans everywhere.
The revelation came just in time for the team’s first home game after the Conclave wrapped up on Friday. As fans gathered outside the tailgate lots, they proudly sported Pope Leo XIV hats and sold pope baseball shirts to commemorate the occasion. Alejandra Martinez, a die-hard White Sox fan, couldn’t contain her emotions, saying, “I’ve seen people when they announced it crying in tears because it means so much to have a pope, and the fact it’s from Chicago I think that is just speechless.”
For many fans, having a pope who supports the same team makes the leader of the Roman Catholic Church more relatable. Melissa Lebran expressed her excitement, stating, “I thought it was pretty cool. It’s going to be someone we can relate to, and that comes from our area.” The sense of connection between the pope and the people of Chicago was palpable.
During Friday night’s game, as the national anthem played, the White Sox paid tribute to Pope Leo XIV by congratulating him on the scoreboard. The moment was a special one for both the team and the fans, solidifying the pope’s place as a beloved figure in the city.
Overall, the news of Pope Leo XIV’s White Sox fandom brought a sense of unity and joy to the Chicago community. It’s not every day that a pope from the Windy City is chosen, let alone one who shares a passion for the same baseball team. As the city continues to celebrate this unique connection, one thing is clear – Pope Leo XIV is more than just a religious leader; he’s a symbol of hometown pride and camaraderie.
