When your baseball team’s best winning streak in months coincides with the election of a new Pope, and he happens to be a longtime White Sox fan, you start paying attention. That’s exactly what’s happening on the South Side of Chicago, where faith and fastballs have suddenly found themselves in the same conversation. For a team struggling to find momentum, divine intervention might not be such a stretch.

It all started with a blurry video clip: A man in a Sox cap clapping during Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. That man? Cardinal Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV. Born in Chicago and raised on the South Side, he was confirmed to be a diehard White Sox fan by his own brother. And soon after his papal appointment in early May, the team started to win, and not just by accident.

Enter General Manager Chris Getz, who isn’t exactly brushing off the coincidence.

“It’s been exciting, obviously, to have someone of that significance be a White Sox fan,” Getz said with a grin. “Since he’s been announced to become the Pope, the White Sox have tacked on some wins. So perhaps a higher power is on our side.”

That sentiment echoes around the team. Relief pitcher Brandon Eisert joked, “Hopefully he can help us turn things around, give us a little bit better luck out there for the team in general. Anything we can get.” Even Manager Will Venable admitted, “It’s great to have him on our side, for sure.”

The Sox organization embraced the moment, too. They sent a custom jersey to the Vatican and flashed “HEY CHICAGO, HE’S A SOX FAN!” on the scoreboard at Guaranteed Rate Field. For a club hungry for good news, this feels like a genuine boost.

In baseball, superstition and faith have always been entangled, from lucky charms to rally rituals. But having the leader of the Catholic Church wearing your team’s colors? That’s a rare spiritual edge.

Is this just a coincidence? Maybe. But for now, the White Sox and their fans are happy to believe there’s a little divine favor watching over them—because when the Sox start winning, you take all the help you can get.

And it’s not just the White Sox, though…

Jake Burger’s new celebration: A nod to Pope Leo XIV

Jake Burger’s new celebration has quickly caught the eye of Rangers fans. All thanks to Pope Leo XIV. After smashing a solo home run that gave Texas the lead, Burger raised his hands and made the sign of the cross, a move that’s become his personal ritual since the new Pope’s election.

“I kind of thought to myself, new Pope, new me,” Burger said with a smile. “Leo’s a Midwestern guy like me. I’m a proud Midwestern guy, and since he’s been elected Pope, we’ve been pretty hot as a team.”

But it’s not just about luck or superstition. Burger openly connects his faith with his recent performance, joking, “He’s also a White Sox fan and I’d like to think he didn’t like the trade so he put in a little blessing for me.” That blessing seems to be working. Burger’s sign of the cross celebration has energized both him and his teammates, turning a simple moment into a symbol of faith and hope for the Rangers this season.

It’s a reminder that sometimes, a little divine inspiration can make all the difference on the diamond.