Pope Has 'Open Invite' To Throw First Pitch At White Sox Game
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The new pope has an "open invite" to throw the first pitch at a White Sox game, says White Sox Executive Vice President Brooks Boyer.
Speaking with MLB.com on May 20, Boyer, who is also the chief revenue and marketing officer for the White Sox, told the outlet: "He has an open invite to throw out a first pitch. Heck, maybe we'll let him get an at-bat."
Pope Leo XIV, who was born Robert Prevost in Chicago, is now one of the world's most famous White Sox fans and has been honored by a mural of him, which is now projected onto the wall at the team's home stadium, Rate Field.
The White Sox have been contacted via email for comment.
White Sox commemorate fandom of Pope Leo XIV with Graphic installation at Rate Field before a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Monday, May 19, 2025.
White Sox commemorate fandom of Pope Leo XIV with Graphic installation at Rate Field before a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Monday, May 19, 2025.
Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo
The Context
The tradition of the ceremonial first pitch became widely recognized in 1910 when President William Howard Taft threw the first pitch at the Washington, D.C., ballpark to commemorate the Washington Nationals' first game of the season.
Since then, every sitting president has thrown the first pitch on baseball's Opening Day. First pitches throughout the season are now often thrown by celebrities or locally important people.
Fans dressed as popes look on during the third inning of a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Monday, May 19, 2025.
Fans dressed as popes look on during the third inning of a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Monday, May 19, 2025.
Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo
What To Know
When news came out that the first North American pope was from Chicago, residents of the city had one question: Is he a Cubs fan or a White Sox fan?
This critical question was answered by footage of the pope, then known to friends and family as "Father Bob," at Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, where the White Sox swept the Astros to win the title.
Pope Leo was at that White Sox game in 2005 with his close friend Ed Schmit, who has now passed away. Schmit's daughter, Heidi Skokal, told MLB.com that her father believed his friend would become the pope one day.
Ed Schmit IV, who was 5 years old during the game in 2005, remembers sitting next to his grandfather's friend, who happened to be a priest. He also recalled that his family was caught on camera during the game. He went through the footage following Pope Leo's election to prove to the world that Father Bob is not only now the pope but is also a White Sox fan.
Schmit IV told MLB.com: "I don't want anyone to think he's a Cubs fan because he's not a Cubs fan. The Pope is a White Sox fan. We have proof. He was at Game 1 of the World Series, and everyone knows now."
Astros fan Joran Scott-Ruiz told Newsweek that he is not surprised the pope has been invited to throw the first pitch because "baseball and religion in the U.S. have always been deeply linked."
He pointed to how the Houston Astros invite "Rally Nuns," nuns from The Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province, to attend games during the playoffs.
Scott-Ruiz added: "[Baseball] is about family and tradition. Most fans I know are fans because of their parents or grandparents."
Sister Mary Catherine Do told ABC13 in 2022 that the nuns "Truly believe in divine intervention and angels in the outfield."
Pope Leo is not the only famous White Sox fan. President Barack Obama is also known to support the team.
Pope Leo XIV showing off his catching skills while catching a little doll on the Popemobile after his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
Pope Leo XIV showing off his catching skills while catching a little doll on the Popemobile after his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican, Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
Gregorio Borgia/AP Photo
What People Are Saying
White Sox executive vice president Brooks Boyer told MLB.com: "I just never thought I would see in my lifetime a North American Pope, let alone a White Sox fan from the South Side of Chicago that is among us. He's real...It's pretty amazing. You thought when the sitting President was a White Sox fan, President [Barack] Obama, it probably can't get much higher than that. These guys brought us the Pope."
What Happens Next
Pope Leo's predecessor, Francis, was known to be a big soccer fan and personally supported the Argentine club San Lorenzo. Following his election to Pope in 2013, San Lorenzo won a national title and brought their trophy to the Vatican. The White Sox may gain the same boost from Leo. However, they are currently 5th out of five teams in the American League Central.
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