The new Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, has officially had his favorite baseball team revealed to the world: the Chicago White Sox. The confirmation came directly from Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the MLB club, just hours after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was announced as the first American Pope in the history of the Catholic Church.

"Hey Chicago, he’s a Sox fan," proudly displayed the stadium screens on Thursday, putting to rest earlier reports that had linked him to the Chicago Cubs, the White Sox’s historic city rivals.

A Lifelong Sox Supporter

The source of this clarification? None other than John Prevost, the Pope’s brother, who dismissed the rumors:

"He was never a Cubs fan, I don’t know where that came from," he told local media, adding that while the Prevost family followed both the Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals, Robert always preferred the Sox.

The Chicago White Sox responded with humor and pride:

"The family always knows best," they said in a statement, confirming they’ve already sent a pinstriped jersey and an official White Sox cap to Rome with his name on it.

"There are more important things than baseball, but we’re honored to have a White Sox fan representing us in the Vatican. The Pope is always welcome at Guaranteed Rate Field."

From Chicago to the Vatican

Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago 69 years ago and also holds Peruvian citizenship since 2015 due to his missionary work in Peru. He succeeds Pope Francis (2013–2025), who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. With his election, Leo XIV becomes the 267th pope in Catholic Church history.

The White Sox, founded in 1901, have won the World Series three times: in 1906, 1917, and most recently in 2005. Despite recent struggles, they remain one of the most iconic franchises in Major League Baseball. The team also famously hosted Michael Jordan during his brief departure from professional basketball.

Chicago, the Pope’s hometown, is home to legendary franchises like the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Bears, Chicago Fire, Chicago Red Stars, and the Blackhawks, but now, the White Sox can claim perhaps their most unique fan yet—a Pope in the Vatican.