Chicago is still glowing with pride after one of its own was elected Pope. A moment so profound it feels like the city’s soul grew a little brighter. Tributes have poured in from every corner, each echoing a collective sense of awe and affection. But amid the reverence, beloved columnist Richard Roeper took a heartfelt detour, blending humor with nostalgia in the way only he can. His tribute wasn’t just funny but also a touching reminder of the city’s roots and the quiet magic of watching one of your own rise to something divine.

Well, by now, it’s no secret that Pope Leo is a baseball fan and a proud supporter of the White Sox. That alone might have been enough to win the hearts of the South Side. But will you believe his connection to the game runs even deeper?

“The new pope was raised in my hometown of Dolton. I think I struck him out once in Little League, and he vowed to one day bring down the wrath of God on me. I’m cooked.”

Yes, it’s true. Going back to the past, Pope Leo was just another kid with a glove under his arm and dirt on his knees, a regular at the local Little League diamonds. But going by what Roeper said, Pope Leo seems to be a slugger, while Roeper was a pitcher. While Roeper, as a pitcher, was expected to strike out Leo, he hilariously invoked the fear of God! Ahh, Roeper fears Pope Leo might bring down the wrath of God on him for sticking him out. Wholesome!

But Roeper chose not to put on the brakes here and eventually came up with his next fireball. “I’ve been demoted a notch on Wiki’s list of notable people from Dolton. This new pope is clearly a power-hungry megalomaniac!” Yes, Roeper dipped one place just below Pope Leo, making him label the newly elected one as a megalomaniac. Well, we still think it is said on a lighter note.

When word spread that Chicago’s own had become the new leader of the Catholic Church, it wasn’t just the faithful who celebrated. The White Sox is the same as being proud, seeing one of their fans holding the coveted position. While we don’t know whether Roeper will face the wrath of God, the White Sox surely need God’s mercy.

The White Sox are expecting Pope Leo’s mercy

The White Sox are facing another challenging season in 2025, continuing the struggles that plagued them in 2024. So, currently their record stands at 10–28, tying the worst start in franchise history.

The White Sox’s recent 10–0 loss to the Royals completed a four-game sweep, highlighting ongoing issues. For starters, their offense managed only six hits and went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Yes, the club had a brief two-game winning streak against the Astros. But it was short-lived as the team has struggled overall. A team with a .200 BA and a .294 OBP is not struggling, but a mess. Only Pope Leo can help here! 

The 2024 season was historically poor, with the White Sox finishing 41–121, the worst record in modern MLB history. They experienced multiple double-digit losing streaks and were eliminated from playoff contention earlier than any team since 1969. What’s left? Nothing till something new unwarranted record, is coming up this year. So, at this point, it does feel like divine intervention might be their best bet.

Fans surely deserve better. But unless ownership dramatically rethinks its philosophy and invests in scouting, development, and leadership, this team might be stuck at the bottom for a long time.