Pope Leo XIV rocks White Sox hat at the Vatican in new photos
Pope Leo XIV brought his White Sox fandom to the Vatican on Wednesday.
While holding a general audience in St. Peter's Square, the Chicago-bred pontiff was photographed wearing a black White Sox cap as he greeted onlookers, including a bride and groom who appeared to be fellow fans of the AL Central club.
Pope Leo XIV's sports allegiances were thrust into the spotlight in May when he made history after being elected the first American pope. He succeeded Pope Francis, who died in April at the age of 88 after a lengthy battle with double pneumonia.
6 Pope Leo XIV was seen wearing a Chicago White Sox hat at the Vatican on June 11, 2025.
AFP via Getty Images
6 The American-born pope greeted newlyweds in his White Sox hat.
REUTERS
The pope's brother, John Prevost, quickly set the record straight over which Chicago baseball team his sibling preferred amid Cubs chatter.
'He was never ever a Cubs fan, so I don't know where that came from,' Prevost told local Chicago station WGN TV. 'He was always a Sox fan. Our mother was a Cubs fan. I don't know, maybe that clued in there and our dad was a Cardinals fan, so I don't know where all that came from.
'And all the aunts, our mom's family was from the north side, so that's why they were Cubs fans.'
6 Pope Leo XIV waved to onlookers in St. Peter's Square on June 11, 2025.
Getty Images
6 The pope's sports allegiances were thrust into the spotlight after he was elected.
REUTERS
Born Robert Francis Prevost, the Windy City native has a publicized history of supporting the White Sox, as resurfaced video showed him wearing team gear during Game 1 of the 2005 World Series against the Astros.
Chicago swept Houston in four games.
6 Pope Leo XIV was elected the first American pope in May 2025.
REUTERS
6 The White Sox commemorated Pope Leo XIV with a graphic at Rate Field in May 2025.
AP
Last month, the White Sox installed a Pope Leo XIV graphic at Rate Field in honor of their most famous fan.
Beyond the White Sox, who lost a record 121 games last season, Pope Leo XIV is also a Villanova Wildcat, having graduated from the university in 1977.
Knicks fans were hopeful Pope Leo's Villanova ties would fuel a championship berth with former Wildcats Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges.
The Knicks ultimately lost to the Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.
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