Pope Leo XIV, a notable figure in the Catholic Church, sparks optimism among Chicago sports enthusiasts and New York Knicks followers due to his association with Villanova University.

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Everyone was buzzing about the sports allegiances of Pope Leo XIV shortly after the smoke cleared from the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. Hailing from the Windy City, this extraordinary individual is the first pope to emerge from the United States in the annals of the Catholic Church. Born and raised in Chi-town, he graced Villanova University near Philadelphia with his presence, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1977.

The sports scene of Chicago immediately chimed in with reactions to the exciting news, and the city's two baseball teams took center stage.

Initially, it seemed that Pope Leo XIV was a die-hard Cubs fan, as evidenced by the team's announcement on their platform featuring an image of Wrigley Field's iconic marquee and the message: HEY, CHICAGO. HE'S A CUBS FAN!

However, his brother, John Prevost, quickly set the record straight in an interview with WGN-TV. It turned out that Pope Leo XIV is, in fact, a devoted White Sox fan.

"No way was he a Cubs fan," John explained, "He was always a Sox fan." He added that the misunderstanding may stem from their mother's side of the family, who were North Siders and avid Cubs supporters.

Elated by this revelation, the White Sox posted a clip from John's WGN interview, along with a picture of the Rate Field videoboard and the message: HEY CHICAGO, HE'S A SOX FAN! The post read, "Well, would you look at that... Congratulations to Chicago's own Pope Leo XIV." The White Sox even mentioned having a White Sox jersey with the pontiff's name already on its way to Rome.

White Sox fans couldn't help but speculate about the new pope's potential influence on White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf. Long-suffering Bears fans, meanwhile, weighed in with comments on the same platform.

One remarked that Chicago produced a pope before it produced a viable quarterback. Others joked that the Bears now have a hotline to God, while a few claimed that the Bears would no longer be plagued by Hail Marys, referring to Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels' legendary 52-yard Hail Mary completion to Noah Brown in October.

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams even posted on the platform: "Daaaaaa Pope."

Meanwhile, the election of the new pope coincides with the New York Knicks, led by a quartet of former Villanova players, embarking on a thrilling NBA playoff run. It wasn't long before a photoshopped image of the four of them with Pope Leo XIV surfaced on social media.

The Knicks managed to erase 20-point deficits in their victories against the Boston Celtics in Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Now, fans are holding onto faith that the synergy between the Villanova guys and the new pope can lead the Knicks to their first NBA title since 1973.

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AP Sports: https://apnews.com/sports

The media has been abuzz with discussions about Pope Leo XIV's sports allegiances since his election.
The Chicago sports scene, particularly its baseball teams, have been actively participating in these discussions.
The White Sox have confirmed that Pope Leo XIV is indeed a loyal fan of their team, contrary to initial speculation suggesting he was a Cubs supporter.
The Cubs' platform initially announced that Pope Leo XIV was a Cubs fan, an error later rectified by his brother, John Prevost, in an interview with WGN-TV.
The NFL, MLB, and NBA, along with American football and basketball, are eager to understand the potential influence of Pope Leo XIV on sports ownership and player performance, considering his Villanova University background.
Fans of the Chicago White Sox, Bears, and New York Knicks have been sharing their reactions and humorous remarks on various social media platforms.
A photoshopped image of the new pope with the Villanova players leading the NBA's New York Knicks has surfaced on social media, fueling fans' hopes for the Knicks' first NBA title since 1973.
The Knicks' recent comebacks from 20-point deficits in their victories against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semi-finals have sparked discussions about the potential impact of the synergy between Pope Leo XIV and the Villanova players on the team's performance.