In a moment that blurred the line between papal solemnity and Chicago sports banter, Pope Leo XIV proved that the Vatican isn’t entirely insulated from American pastimes. The leader of 1.3 billion Catholics revealed a curveball of his own this week—less theological, more… MLB. Because when a newly minted pope opens his mouth for the first time in public, you’d expect Latin—maybe even doctrine. Instead, he lobbed a question.

The Chicago White Sox might not be the best team on the field or have the best fans, but one of the most important people on earth is your fan; you are special. The Vatican elected Robert Prevost as their new Pope after the passing of Pope Francis, and he is the first Pope from the United States.

Any person from the United States would have grown up watching baseball, and it was the same with Pope Leo XIV. He even has his favorites in MLB, and this has surprised a lot of fans. A journalist from Colorado named Jason Perash went to meet the Pope and asked the Pope to sign a baseball. As soon as Perash handed the Pope the ball, his words were, “White Sox or Cubs?” To this, Perash replied, “Uh, Sox.”

Born Robert Prevost, the new pontiff reportedly played Little League in his youth and kept a signed Frank Thomas card in his childhood Bible. His fandom isn’t performative—it’s formative. The moment served as a small, unexpected parable—faith and fandom aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, both rely on hope, devotion, and the occasional miracle in extra innings.

And just like that, the Vicar of Christ became the unofficial chaplain of the South Side. Leo XIV’s first public pitch wasn’t a sermon, but a scouting report. In a Church long defined by centuries of tradition, maybe it takes a Sox fan in white to remind us that holiness and humanity can share the same dugout. One thing’s clear: the papacy has entered a new ballgame—and this one comes with peanuts, prayers, and possibly extra innings.

MLB meets the Vatican: New Pope Leo XIV’s White Sox fandom steals the spotlight

In a world where divine appointments rarely intersect with dugout devotion, one man’s rise from the bleachers to the balcony has turned heads—and timelines—everywhere. When MLB replays become papal prequels, you know history is pitching a curveball. Enter Pope Leo XIV, a man whose loyalty to the Chicago White Sox may be just as unwavering as his faith. And yes, the internet has receipts.

In an unexpected twist of faith and fandom, newly elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, has caught global attention, not for doctrine, but for baseball. A resurfaced 2005 World Series clip shows him cheering on the White Sox during their legendary Game 1 win over Houston.

The footage, now viral, captures Leo XIV in the crowd at Chicago’s US Cellular Field. It was the Sox’s first step toward a long-awaited title, breaking their 88-year championship drought. The Pope’s brother later confirmed the obvious: “He was always a Sox fan,” sealing the Vatican’s most surprising sports allegiance.

But baseball isn’t his only game. A Villanova alum, Leo XIV also follows the New York Knicks—especially their Villanova-powered “Nova Knicks” squad. Reverend Robert Hagan noted the Pope admires their “spirit and unselfishness,” revealing a pontiff who prays with purpose and cheers with passion.

As Pope Leo XIV blends faith with fandom, the Vatican now boasts a pontiff who doesn’t just bless the faithful but cheers for the underdogs, too. Whether it’s rallying behind the White Sox or rooting for the Knicks, this Pope proves that even in the holiest of seats, passion for the game is sacred. After all, if you can’t preach about the power of teamwork, why not see it firsthand?