Pope Leo XIV brought a touch of White Sox enthusiasm to the Vatican during a general audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday.
While meeting with visitors, members of the Chicago clergy were spotted wearing White Sox hats, even greeting a newlywed couple who seemed to share their allegiance to the team.
His devotion to the sport gained attention following his historic election in May, making him the first American pope after succeeding Pope Francis. Unfortunately, he passed away in April at 88 after struggling with double pneumonia.
Pope Leo XIV’s brother, John Prevost, shared insights about their family’s baseball loyalties, noting that their mother was a Cubs fan and their father supported the Cardinals. In a candid moment, Prevost remarked, “He was never a Cubs fan, so I don’t know where that came from. He’s always been a Sox fan.”
Despite the ongoing Cubs fervor in their family, it’s clear that Pope Leo XIV proudly held a different flag. His support for the White Sox was well recognized, especially after the team made headlines in a recent four-game series against Houston.
In May, the White Sox honored their famous fan by installing commemorative graphics at the field. Alongside his baseball preferences, the pope was also a Villanova Wildcats fan, having graduated in 1977.
Fans of the Knicks had hoped this connection to Villanova would inspire a playoff championship run, especially with former Wildcats like Jalen Branson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges on the team. However, the Knicks ultimately fell short, losing to the Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
