Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope and a native of the Windy City, was photographed wearing a Chicago White Sox hat in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Wednesday.
Leo is a lifelong Sox fan. And he’s not about to let his papal duties stand in the way of remaining a rabid fan.
The White Sox organization celebrated their famous fan by sharing an image on social media after extending an open invitation for him to throw out the first pitch at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Can you just imagine? The Pope throwing out a first pitch? It’s never been seen before.
Quite frankly, this woeful organization could use a little divine intervention at this point.
.@Pontifex representing his favorite squad 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lyJG42S529
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 11, 2025
Pope Wears White Sox Hat at the Vatican
Born Robert Francis Prevost, the 69-year-old Pope has already displayed his lifelong allegiance to the White Sox, having previously attended their 2005 World Series victory.
Pope Leo wearing White Sox Baseball ⚾️ Cap June 10, 2025 pic.twitter.com/JrahyS9rwI
— Don Balkwill (@DonBalkwill) June 11, 2025
A video resurfaced after he was anointed pontiff, showing Leo wearing team gear during Game 1 of the 2005 World Series against the Astros. The Sox won that series. In fact, they swept the ‘Stros.
Again, maybe his holiness can bring them a little badly needed good fortune by showing up at a game and tossing out the first pitch?
🚨🚨CRAZY FOOTAGE🚨🚨
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) May 9, 2025
THE NEW POPE ROBERT PREVOST WAS SPOTTED ON THE BROADCAST IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 9TH INNING AT GAME
ONE OF THE 2005 WORLD SERIES.
🤯
The Pope sitting in the stands watching his Chicago White Sox in the World Series. Wild.
pic.twitter.com/VqUZpVeJGA
The 2025 Chicago White Sox would love to go back to those glory days. This season has been dismal for the team and, presumably, the Pope.
With a 23-45 record early on, projecting to about a 55-107 finish, making them one of the worst teams in MLB. Imagine how bad things would be if they didn’t have the Pope on their side.
Last season was historically bad, as they set a modern-era record with 121 losses, including a 21-game losing streak.
Pope’s got a Pretty Good Glove Too
Pope Leo XIV also went viral recently for making an impressive one-handed catch of a plush doll thrown by a fan while riding in an open popemobile in St. Peter’s Square.
Get that man a Gold Glove.
Leo demonstrated his athletic prowess, catching the doll that resembled him without even breaking stride. The video earned nearly 24 million views.
(EXCLUSIVE) POV: you throw a plushie of @Pontifex at @Pontifex pic.twitter.com/o1IsBL6jKp
— Pope Crave (@ClubConcrave) May 29, 2025
These moments highlight the Pope’s connection to his American roots and love for baseball, endearing him further to White Sox fans and fans of the game in general.
