Pope Leo XIV Wears White Sox Hat in Photo from Vatican General Audience
Pope Leo XIV celebrated his Chicago roots when arriving to the Vatican for his weekly general audience on Wednesday.
The 69-year-old Illinois native received a White Sox hat from a recently married couple in St. Peter's Square.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, became the first American to lead the Catholic Church when he was elected on May 9.
Born in Chicago, the Pope grew up in Dolton, a suburb south of the city. He attended the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago in Hyde Park, according to CBS News.
Shortly after his election, friends and family told media outlets the Pope was a fan of the White Sox.
The Pope was then spotted on the White Sox broadcast in Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, during which the White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the championship.
The White Sox celebrated the Pope's attendance by installing a mural and a "Pope Leo" jersey in the section where he sat during the World Series.
“He has an open invite to throw out a first pitch,” White Sox executive vice president Brooks Boyer said after the installation of the mural, per MLB.com's Scott Merkin. “Heck, maybe we’ll let him get an at-bat.”
The Pope's connection to the White Sox will continue when the club's home ballpark of Rate Field holds an event celebrating his election on June 14. Pope Leo XIV will not be present at the event, but "he will be participating remotely from Rome with a video message to be played at the gathering," according to Vatican News.
