The White Sox were the worst team in MLB history last year, but hey, at least they have God on their side now.
Pope Leo XIV, who was elected as the first American pontiff in the more than 2000-year history of the office on May 8, is confirmed to be a White Sox fan. He is originally from the South Side of Chicago and was miraculously spotted on TV at Game 1 of the World Series in 2005.
The White Sox are now honoring Pope Leo XIV with a mural above the section where he sat for that fateful night 20 years ago. Pope Leo XIV was a clergy member named Robert Prevost, or Father Bob, at the time, but we now know there may have been some divine intervention involved to help the White Sox start their run to the team’s only championship in the last 100 years.
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Things are looking up for the South Siders in 2025, especially since they have discovered one of the most famous and holy leaders in the world is one of their own.
Here’s a look at Pope Leo XIV’s new mural at Rate Field.
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Pope Leo XIV White Sox mural
The White Sox have put up a new mural of Pope Leo XIV at Rate Field above the section where he sat for Game 1 of the World Series. The artwork depicts Pope Leo XIV greeting the crowds at the Vatican for the first time as pontiff, as well as a picture of him watching the final out of the 5-3 win over the Astros on October 22, 2005. There is also a plaque to commemorate the moment in Section 140 of what was then U.S. Cellular Field.
The White Sox commemorated Pope Leo XIV attending the 2005 World Series with a wall graphic in the section where he sat.
(📸 via @CHSN_WhiteSox) pic.twitter.com/tut0zncqSb
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) May 20, 2025
At the time, Pope Leo XIV was Robert Prevost, the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, living in Chicago. Who could have predicted that this fan who appeared briefly on the Fox broadcast of the World Series would become the first Pope from the United States?
Pope Leo on the broadcast for Game 1 of the 2005 World Series pic.twitter.com/kBTv7fpcNw
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 9, 2025
Where is Pope Leo XIV from?
Pope Leo XIV is originally from Chicago. He was born in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the city’s South Side and was raised in the nearby suburb of Dolton, Illinois.
His parish growing up was in Riverdale, another neighborhood on the South Side.
Is Pope Leo XIV a White Sox fan?
Pope Leo XIV is certainly a White Sox fan, as a clip of him attending Game 1 of the 2005 World Series has made the rounds on the internet since he was elected pontiff.
There was some initial reporting by ABC News saying he was a Cubs fan, and the North Siders quickly claimed him. However, Pope Leo XIV’s brother, John Prevost, clarified that the South Sider is a White Sox fan.
