Fans Honoring Pope Leo XIV with a White Sox Jersey

In an interesting twist, fans recently signed a jersey for a well-known pro athlete.

Pope Leo XIV was presented with a special jersey given to Paul Connelco, a former player for the Chicago White Sox. At a ceremony before the game against the Cleveland Guardians, Archbishop Blaze Capic of Chicago signed the jersey, placing “Pope Leo” above Connelco’s name, along with the number 14.

Robert Prevost made history on May 8th, becoming the first pope from the United States in the Catholic Church. Prevost, who famously attended the 2005 World Series opener against the Houston Astros, sat in section 140, row 19, and witnessed the White Sox’s victory, which led to a memorable four-game sweep.

His presence was noted on the “MLB on Fox” broadcast that day, capturing fans’ attention as he was shown at a pivotal moment in the game.

Interestingly, Prevost had joined the game alongside Ed Schmidt, a family friend who also held season tickets. Their connection stems from their shared involvement with Catholic high schools in Chicago. Even now, Schmidt’s son, Nick, is recognized as the account holder for the Pope’s World Series seat.

John Prevost, the new pope’s brother, shared that the Pope has always been a devoted fan of the White Sox. Fun fact: in May, the team unveiled graphics that celebrate Pope Leo and the memorable occasion, showcasing artwork that honors both his presence and the excitement of the game.

This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of the White Sox’s championship run, and former players from that iconic team will gather in Chicago. In tribute to the late Bobby Jenks, who recently passed away in Portugal, the team introduced a new uniform patch. Additionally, a statue commemorating former ace Mark Buhl was unveiled, further enriching the celebration.