New Pope’s Sports Allegiances Spark Chicago Buzz \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, sparked sports chatter over his Chicago roots and baseball loyalties. Despite rumors of being a Cubs fan, it turns out he’s loyal to the White Sox.
Quick Looks
- Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, hails from Chicago.
- Early reports incorrectly labeled him a Chicago Cubs fan.
- His brother confirmed he’s long been a White Sox supporter.
- Bears and White Sox fans joked about divine intervention.
- The pope also attended Villanova University near Philadelphia.
- Social media lit up with fan memes and prayers.
- The Knicks’ Villanova trio are now being linked to papal luck.
Deep Look
The election of a pope is usually a moment steeped in tradition, reverence, and theological gravitas. But within hours of Pope Leo XIV’s ascension to the papacy, the mood on social media took a uniquely American—and distinctly Chicagoan—turn: was the first U.S.-born pope a Cubs fan or a White Sox fan?
It’s a question that might seem trivial on the surface. Yet, in Chicago, where sports are a language of identity, history, and regional pride, the answer struck a chord. And for fans of the long-suffering White Sox, it turned out to be a revelation worth celebrating.
The confusion began almost immediately after the white smoke rose over the Vatican, signaling the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost, a native of Chicago’s South Side, who chose the name Leo XIV. Born in 1955, the newly minted pope also attended Villanova University, earning a science degree before embarking on a decades-long journey in missionary work and ecclesiastical leadership in Peru and Rome.
As the world celebrated his historic appointment—the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church—Chicago’s baseball fans did what they do best: divided into camps.
The Chicago Cubs made the first move, taking to social media with a now-viral image of Wrigley Field’s marquee bearing the words, “HEY, CHICAGO. HE’S A CUBS FAN!” It was a savvy, hopeful gesture—one that tapped into the emotional current of the moment.
But it wasn’t true.
In an interview with WGN-TV, the pope’s brother, John Prevost, laid the myth to rest: “He was never ever a Cubs fan. He was always a Sox fan.”
That simple clarification unleashed a wave of joy, sarcasm, and theological satire among South Siders.
Divine Providence or Papal Patience?
White Sox fans—plagued by losing seasons, organizational instability, and a dismal 2024 campaign—reacted to the news with a mix of humor and genuine hope. Some jokingly prayed that Pope Leo XIV might intervene directly in owner Jerry Reinsdorf’s long tenure and nudge the franchise toward change.
“Finally,” one fan posted, “we have someone upstairs who can talk to Reinsdorf.”
Others asked whether the papal blessing might be enough to reverse the fortunes of a team that’s been entrenched in mediocrity since its 2005 World Series win.
The jokes extended beyond baseball. Chicago Bears fans, starved for consistent quarterback play and playoff success, also jumped in.
“The Vatican gave us a pope before Halas Hall gave us a quarterback,” read one viral post.
“The Bears have a direct line to God now,” wrote another.
And, in reference to a painful Hail Mary loss to the Washington Commanders last season, one quipped, “We’re officially done being on the wrong side of those.”
The banter served a deeper function: it reminded many that sports—like faith—are repositories of community, longing, and redemption.
Villanova Connections: A Prayer for the Knicks?
While Chicago basked in the attention, Philadelphia and New York soon entered the chat. That’s because Pope Leo XIV’s alma mater, Villanova University, is suddenly at the heart of an improbable New York Knicks playoff run.
The Knicks’ resurgence has been led by three former Villanova stars—Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo—who have brought grit, chemistry, and momentum to a team that hasn’t won a title since 1973. After dramatic come-from-behind wins against the reigning champion Boston Celtics, fans couldn’t resist drawing spiritual parallels.
Social media quickly produced a now-famous photoshopped image of the pope posing with the Villanova trio, dressed in papal whites next to Knicks jerseys, accompanied by captions like “God Squad” and “Pope Power at the Garden.”
While obviously tongue-in-cheek, the meme reflects something real: the blending of spiritual nostalgia and sports hope. For Knicks fans, the combination of Villanova discipline and papal magic could be the divine alignment they’ve been praying for.
The Symbolism of Sports in a Papacy
Pope Leo XIV’s apparent allegiance to the White Sox, a team whose identity is built around blue-collar grit, decades of frustration, and occasional glory, fits the profile of a leader who has spent much of his life in missionary service, often working outside the global spotlight.
Unlike his predecessor Pope Francis, who is a die-hard San Lorenzo fan in Argentina and made his fandom widely known, Pope Leo XIV has said little publicly about sports. But now, with confirmation from his own family, his ties to Chicago’s South Side sports culture are part of his public narrative.
It reminds us that popes are people, too—shaped by place, family, and, yes, teams. And for fans who live in the space where hope often outpaces results, seeing one of their own reach the highest office in global religion is more than amusing. It’s poetic.
In that sense, the sports conversation surrounding Pope Leo XIV is more than a meme. It’s a reflection of how identity, longing, and belief intersect in our lives—in pews and in stadiums alike.
And who knows?
With a White Sox-loving pope in Rome and Villanova icons thriving on the court, maybe this really is a season of miracles.
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