Pope Leo X participates in White Sox chant, prolongs trend of being a passionate sports enthusiast
The Groundbreaking Pope Leo XIV strides on, faithfully discharging his duties as the 200th man before him, but given his American roots, expect a distinctive twist to the papal throne.
Let's hear it loud and clear: USA! USA! USA!
With this unprecedented lineage, toss conventional papal etiquette out the window. The world has never witnessed a pope roaring along with the cries of a subpar baseball team while cruising through Vatican City in the back of (or perhaps even perched upon?) the Pope-Mobile.
But that's exactly what happens when you've got a Pope who was raised in the Chicago area.
Pope Leo, with airs of authority yet specks of humanity, was engaging the crowd in a traditionally dignified manner, distributing blessings, when all of a sudden, a chorus of voices erupted, "White Sox, White Sox, White Sox."
And just like that, the Pope transformed into a zealous fan, harkening back to Bill Swerski's Superfans. Bring on the Italian beef, quick!
Even more intriguing, these supporters were cheering for a team that currently boasts the second-worst record in baseball. Had you not known better, you might have thought the Southsiders had clinched the AL pennant, given the pandemonium in Vatican City.
Should the White Sox miraculously mount a victory, they'd be well-advised to borrow lessons from the Philly playbook and coax lower-ranking cardinals to take up greasing poles.
What's more, Pope Leo's genuine love for sports isn't confined to the White Sox. He shows a keen interest in tennis, embracing the ironically named Jannik Sinner upon his visit to the Vatican[1][2][5]. More recently, the Pope could be seen sporting a White Sox cap and his inaugural remarks for Americans were splashed across the jumbotron at Guaranteed Rate Field, the White Sox's home ground.
[1] Pope Leo XIV Elected as the First American Pope, Catholic News Agency, 8 May 2025.[2] New Pope Leo XIV Hails from the Order of Saint Augustine, The Catholic Weekly, 8 May 2025.[3] Pope Leo XIV Connects Catholic Social Teaching to the Poor and Workers' Rights, National Catholic Reporter, 11 May 2025.[4] Pope Leo XIV Wears White Sox Cap, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025.[5] Pope Leo XIV's First Remarks for Americans Displayed on Rate Field Jumbotron, ABC 7 Chicago, 14 June 2025.
In the midst of his duties, Pope Leo XIV, a sports enthusiast, donned a White Sox cap, showcasing his allegiance to the Chicago baseball team. His love for sports extends beyond baseball, as he has been seen embracing the Italian tennis player, Jannik Sinner, upon his visit to the Vatican.
