Pope Leo XIV Lit Up the Vatican in White Sox Gear on His First Day
Pope Leo XIV's affection for sports emerging as White Sox advance in World Series, connections with Villanova and Knicks highlighted
Our chief religion correspondent, Lauren Green, has the scoop on Pope Leo XIV's debut at the Vatican, fresh from the exciting world of 'Special Report.'
As the very first Pope hailing from the US, Robert Prevost's baseball fever has been a hot topic worldwide after his appointment as Pope Leo XIV.
Being a Chicagoan at heart, Prevost's rooting interest for the White Sox came to light this week, and it's not just casual affection - he's a die-hard fan! Evidence of this surfaced on social media this Friday, with footage from Game 1 of the 2005 World Series showing Prevost in the midst of the action.
Fate played a part, as Prevost was featured on the MLB on FOX broadcast for that game at U.S. Cellular Field on Oct. 22, 2005, during the ninth inning when the White Sox were clinching a 5-3 win over the Houston Astros.
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The White Sox went on to claim the series in a four-game sweep, securing their only championship since 1917.
Prevost's White Sox allegiances were unveiled when his brother, John Prevost, mentioned it in an interview with WGN-TV. "He was always a Sox fan," John said.
But it seems the US president's sporting interests extended beyond baseball.
Reverend Robert P. Hagan, a friend of Prevost's and a chaplain at his alma mater, Villanova University, hinted at Prevost's possible link to the New York Knicks and their talented roster of former Villanova players.
"We've had a blast keeping tabs on the Knicks, with players like Jalen (Brunson) and Josh (Hart) and Donte (DiVincenzo), and now Mikal (Bridges) has joined the lineup!" Hagan shared. "I think Pope Leo will still keep his eye on the Nova Knicks, as well as the Wildcats, showing immense pride in their unified spirit and selflessness."
Leo XIV made his grand entrance at the Vatican, courtesy of Pope Francis, who appointed him as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in January 2023. A significant post in the Catholic Church, as it screens bishop nominations issued worldwide. Francis later elevated him to Cardinal in September 2023.
Francis shares similar teachings on various topics, including the environment, aiding the needy, and opening the Catholic Church to more followers, with Leo XIV as his successor[3].
Leo, a Peruvian citizen, spent his final years in Peru before moving to the Vatican in 2023 and served as vice president of the permanent council of the Peruvian Bishops' Conference from 2018 to 2023[4]. This experience likely contributed to his successful transition to the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Francis.
our website' Caitlin McFall and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Jackson Thompson, a sports writer for our website Digital, brings you this story. Thompson's storied career includes stints at ESPN and Business Insider, and his work includes covering major events such as the Super Bowl and NBA Finals. He's interviewed legendary sports figures like Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, and others[5].
- The appointment of Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost, has sparked global interest due to his well-documented passion for baseball, specifically the Chicago White Sox.
- Evidence of Prevost's fervor for baseball can be found on social media, such as footage from Game 1 of the 2005 World Series where he was present during the White Sox's victory.
- While baseball seems to be Prevost's primary interest, it appears his sporting inclinations may extend to basketball, given his connection to the New York Knicks and their roster of Villanova alumni.
- The Catholic Church, under the leadership of Pope Leo XIV, shares similar teachings on various topics with Pope Francis, including the environment, aiding the needy, and attracting more followers to the Church.
- Prevost's journey to the Vatican as Pope Leo XIV began in Peru, where he served as vice president of the permanent council of the Peruvian Bishops' Conference from 2018 to 2023, which likely aided his transition to the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis.
