As the world celebrated the election of the first American pope, a lighthearted but pressing question captured the attention of Chicagoans: Is he a Cubs or White Sox fan?
Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, was born in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood and grew up in the southern suburbs. His childhood home was one of divided baseball loyalties — his mother, a passionate Cubs supporter from the city’s North Side, and his father, a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.
However, the pontiff didn’t follow in either parent’s footsteps when it came to baseball. According to his brother, John Prevost, Pope Leo made his own decision at an early age, and he chose the White Sox.
“Whoever said Cubs on the radio got it wrong,” John told WGN. “It’s Sox. He was never, ever a Cubs fan.”
Although he now serves as the spiritual leader of over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, Pope Leo’s loyalty on the baseball field has never been in question — he’s proudly a South Side supporter.
The news of his baseball preference quickly made waves online, especially after the Chicago Cubs attempted to align themselves with the newly elected pope. Just hours after his selection, the team shared a tribute on social media, quoting legendary Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray: “The good Lord wants the Cubs to win!”
But fans were quick to point out the mix-up, and thanks to his brother’s clarification, the truth about the Pope’s White Sox fandom couldn’t be clearer.
“Family always knows best”
However, it was the South Side that got the final word.
The White Sox quickly and proudly acknowledged their connection to the new pope, sending a team jersey and cap straight to the Vatican.
“Family always knows best,” the team told NBC Chicago. “And it sounds like Pope Leo XIV’s lifelong fandom falls a little closer to 35th and Shields. Some things are bigger than baseball, but in this case, we’re glad to have a White Sox fan represented at the Vatican.”
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