Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, made headlines during a Vatican appearance by playfully responding to a Chicago Cubs fan’s shout of ‘Go Cubs!’ with ‘They lost!’ in Spanish. This moment highlighted the Pope’s lifelong devotion to the Chicago White Sox, a team he has supported for decades.
The incident occurred during a public appearance at the Vatican, where the Pope was seen waving to thousands of fans. A video capture showed a fan in the crowd cheering for the Cubs, prompting the Pope to respond with his trademark White Sox loyalty. The Cubs, who just concluded their season with a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS, have traditionally had a better record than the White Sox, who struggled to a 60-102 mark this year.
Pope Leo XIV’s White Sox allegiance was further confirmed by his brother, John Prevost, who stated that the Pope was a lifelong fan of the team, not the Cubs. This aligns with historical evidence, as footage exists of the Pope attending the 2005 World Series, where the White Sox faced the Houston Astros. Additionally, a recent photo showed the Pope wearing a White Sox hat while in his white papal robes, solidifying his fandom.
While the Pope has a global role, his personal interest in the Cubs vs. White Sox rivalry demonstrates that even the head of the Catholic Church can have a favorite sports team. The moment was lighthearted, showing the Pope’s personality and his deep-rooted support for the White Sox, despite the Cubs’ recent performance.
As the Cubs continue to search for success, the White Sox remain a steady presence in the Pope’s world, a testament to his enduring loyalty. The Pope’s affection for the team is now a well-known fact, adding a personal touch to his public persona.