Pope Leo XIV Attended the World Series in 2005

On Thursday afternoon, Chicago native Robert Prevost was elected as the next Pope, becoming the first Pope from the United States as he takes on the name Pope Leo XIV. Shortly after his election, the world learned of his Chicago White Sox fandom. And based on a photo that is now going viral, it looks like he is a pretty big fan.

Shortly after Leo XIV's election, there was some debate about his Major League Baseball fan affiliation as some claimed that the Chicago-native and Villanova grad was a fan of the Chicago Cubs. However, his brother quickly set the record straight and confirmed that he was actually a White Sox fan.

"Whoever said Cubs on the radio got it wrong. It's Sox," his brother, John Prevost, told NBC Chicago.

This prompted a statement from the White Sox on the matter as the team shared that it is already sending him a custom jersey to the Vatican and made it clear that he is "always welcome at his ballpark."

"Family always knows best, and it sounds like Pope Leo XIV’s lifelong fandom falls a little closer to 35th and Shields," the team said in a statement. "Some things are bigger than baseball, but in this case, we’re glad to have a White Sox fan represented at the Vatican. A pinstripe White Sox jersey with his name on it and a hat is already on the way to Rome, and of course, the Pontiff always is welcome at his ballpark."

Based on a photo that is now going viral on social media, it looks like Leo XIV is no stranger to "his ballpark."

A photo shared by the Chicago Sun-Times shows Pope Leo XIV attending the 2005 World Series, where the White Sox defeated the Houston Astros in four games to win the championship.

Pope Leo XIV at the 2005 World Series.

(h/t @Suntimes) pic.twitter.com/Y3AvnGmoqM

— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) May 9, 2025

The photo quickly turned heads on social media as fans offered their reactions.

"The new pope was at the Cell to see the Sox win a ring. This is a good omen," one fan wrote in a post on X.

"Peak American Culture!" someone else added.

"He's one of us," another user commented.

"50% chance I was at the same World Series game as the Pope…" someone else said.

"This is wild," another user added.

Clearly, Pope Leo XIV is a loyal fan.