Pope Leo XIV’s sports allegiances became a hot topic almost immediately after the white smoke rose from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.
Elected on Thursday, Robert Prevost made history as the first pope from the United States. Born in Chicago, the missionary who adopted the name Leo XIV also attended Villanova University near Philadelphia, earning a Bachelor of Science in 1977.
As news of his election spread, the focus turned to Chicago’s two baseball teams, with sports fans eager to discuss his possible loyalties.
Initially, it was reported that the new pope was a Cubs fan, with the team celebrating by posting a message on X featuring a picture of Wrigley Field’s famous marquee that read: “HEY, CHICAGO. HE’S A CUBS FAN!”
However, the pope’s brother, John Prevost, cleared up the confusion in an interview with WGN-TV, revealing that Pope Leo XIV is actually a White Sox fan. “He was never ever a Cubs fan,” John said, explaining that the mix-up might have occurred because their mother’s family supported the Cubs.
In response, the White Sox shared a clip from the interview on X, along with an image of the Rate Field videoboard reading: “HEY, CHICAGO, HE’S A SOX FAN!” The post added, “Well, would you look at that… Congratulations to Chicago’s own Pope Leo XIV.”
The White Sox then issued a statement, saying, “Family always knows best, and it sounds like Pope Leo XIV’s lifelong fandom falls a little closer to 35th and Shields.” The team also expressed excitement about having a White Sox fan at the Vatican, announcing that a pinstripe White Sox jersey and hat were already being sent to Rome. The White Sox welcomed the Pontiff to their ballpark anytime.
The TV interview sparked speculation among White Sox fans about the pope’s potential influence in convincing owner Jerry Reinsdorf to sell the struggling team.
Bears fans also joined in on the fun. One fan joked on X that Chicago managed to produce a pope before the Bears could develop a quarterback. Another quipped that the Bears now have a direct line to God, while a third humorously suggested that the Bears would no longer find themselves on the receiving end of Hail Mary passes, referencing the Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels’ 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown against the Bears in October.
“Daaaaaa Pope,” Bears quarterback Caleb Williams posted on X Thursday night.
The timing of the pope’s election also coincided with a trio of former Villanova players leading the New York Knicks in their NBA playoff run. It didn’t take long for a photoshopped image of the four of them together to surface on social media.
The Knicks made dramatic comebacks from 20-point deficits to win Games 1 and 2 against the defending champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Now, fans are hoping that the combination of the Villanova players and the new pope can lead the team to its first NBA title since 1973.