Pope Leo XIV’s sports loyalties quickly became a hot topic after his election as the first pope from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church. Born in Chicago, the newly elected pontiff, formerly known as Robert Prevost, graduated from Villanova University near Philadelphia in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree. The emergence of a photoshopped picture featuring Pope Leo XIV alongside former Villanova basketball players Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges sparked excitement among fans as the trio led the New York Knicks to victory in the NBA playoffs, erasing 20-point deficits against the defending champion Boston Celtics in Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Chicago baseball scene also took center stage as sports enthusiasts reacted to the news. Initially reported as a Cubs fan, Pope Leo XIV’s true allegiance was revealed by his brother, John Prevost, in an interview with NBC Chicago – he’s a White Sox fan. The White Sox organization wasted no time in congratulating the pope, posting a clip of the brother’s interview along with a message declaring Pope Leo XIV as a White Sox fan. The post garnered positive reactions from White Sox fans, with many expressing excitement at having a fellow fan represented at the Vatican. Speculation arose among fans about the pope’s potential influence in convincing White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf to sell the last-place team, while long-suffering Bears fans chimed in with humorous remarks about the team’s fortunes in light of having a pope from Chicago.
Amidst the fervor surrounding Pope Leo XIV’s sports loyalties, the city of Chicago found itself at the intersection of sports and religion, with fans eagerly anticipating the pope’s potential impact on their beloved teams. The revelation of his White Sox fandom brought a sense of camaraderie among supporters, who welcomed the idea of having a fellow fan in such a prestigious position. As the news spread, discussions about the pope’s influence on team ownership and divine intervention in sporting events added an element of lightheartedness to the usually serious topics of religion and sports. With a pinstriped White Sox jersey and hat already on their way to Rome, the city of Chicago embraced Pope Leo XIV’s connection to its sports teams, finding humor and hope in the unlikely convergence of faith and fandom.
