The Chicago White Sox honors Pope Leo XIV on the scoreboard before a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, May 8, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Chicago White Sox players walk on the field as the scoreboard honors Pope Leo XIV before a baseball game against the Miami Marlins Friday, May 8, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Chicago White Sox players walk on the field as the scoreboard honors Pope Leo XIV before a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, May 8, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
The Chicago White Sox honors Pope Leo XIV on the scoreboard before a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, May 8, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
CHICAGO (AP) 鈥 It’s the biggest victory for the struggling Chicago White Sox in a long time.
Pope Leo XIV is a White Sox fan 鈥 and the organization is embracing the news.
Elected on Thursday, Robert Prevost is from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church. And Prevost’s brother, John, said the missionary cheered for the White Sox.
鈥淧roud moment for Chicago,鈥 White Sox manager Will Venable said before Friday night鈥檚 game against Miami. 鈥淚t鈥檚 awesome.鈥
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It was initially reported that the new pope was a Cubs fan. The team congratulated Pope Leo XIV that had a picture of Wrigley Field鈥檚 iconic marquee with the message: HEY, CHICAGO. HE鈥橲 A CUBS FAN!
But John Prevost in an interview with WGN-TV. “He was always a Sox fan,鈥 John said.
The White Sox from the brother鈥檚 interview on X, along with a picture of the Rate Field videoboard with the message: HEY CHICAGO, HE鈥橲 A SOX FAN! That message was still on the videoboard in center when the White Sox began batting practice Friday.
Venable said he couldn鈥檛 blame the Cubs.
鈥淚 get it,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 think we all want the pope on our side, so I certainly understand. But I鈥檓 glad he chose the right team.鈥
The White Sox said they sent a jersey and a hat to the Vatican after the announcement. The organization also congratulated the new pope in a scoreboard graphic that was shown before Friday night鈥檚 first pitch.
The White Sox are last in the AL Central this season, a year after they went to break the post-1900 major league record for losses in a season. So they welcomed a reason to celebrate.
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鈥淲e鈥檒l take it,鈥 Venable said with a smile. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to have him on our side, for sure.鈥
