Pope Leo XIV’s allegiance to White Sox sparks optimism among fans

CHICAGO (WGN) – While it’s no secret the Chicago White Sox have been struggling as of late, there’s a newfound optimism among fans now that they know the history-making Pope Leo XIV is on their side.

“It shows he has good judgment and so hopefully he can make some good rules and give us…whatever he does from his on high and get us a winning team,” White Sox season ticket holder Dan Sullivan said.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was born in Chicago and raised in Dolton. His brother set the record straight to WGN-TV Thursday, confirming the pontiff is, in fact, a White Sox fan. The team couldn’t be more thrilled.

“Whoever thought it was going to get cooler than having the first fan in The White House with Barack Obama, right? How could we ever top that?” White Sox Senior Vice President of Cummunity Relations Christine O’Reilly-Riordan said. “Now all of a sudden it’s global and I just think, I just keep using the word, ‘What a sense of pride.'”

The newly-elected pontiff, however, is not the first Pope of the White Sox. That title belongs to another South Side Catholic, former pitcher Donn Pall, who earned the nickname “The Pope” back when he played for the White Sox from 1988-1993.

“To hear he’s from Chicago and he’s from the South Side and a Sox fan, you got to be kidding me! What are the odds you’ve got all that going on?” Pall said. “It’s just incredible.”

The pope was even in the stands during the 2005 World Series, with the Chicago Sun Times providing photographic evidence.

White Sox fans are now hoping the new pope has even more power over their team’s record.

“He’s got a connection upstairs. Hopefully he can bring us some mojo,” Sullivan said.

The White Sox held a special tribute to Pope Leo XIV ahead of Friday’s game against the Miami Marlins and told WGN-TV they have already shipped a jersey and a hat to The Vatican.