Old Video of Pope Leo XIV at World Series Game Goes Viral

Pope Leo XIV is a Chicago native, and he's pretty clearly a baseball fan.

On Thursday, Cardinal Robert Prevost, 69, was voted in as the newest leader of the Roman Catholic church. Prevost is the first American-born pontiff, and immediately after news broke of his election, the debate about his baseball fanhood began.

As a Windy City native, it was first speculated that Pope Leo was a Chicago Cubs fan. However, his brother John quickly confirmed that in fact, his brother roots for the Pale Hose.

"Whoever said Cubs on the radio got it wrong. It's Sox," Prevost told NBC News.

On Thursday night, a photo of Pope Leo rooting on the White Sox during Game 1 of the 2005 World Series made the rounds. Now, this evening, the X/Twitter account @Videoson35th uncovered footage of the future pope in the crowd at Rate Field that night on the FOX broadcast.

Pope Leo XIV made the broadcast while at Game 1 of the 2005 World Series

pic.twitter.com/VGSqkRFsSB

— Joe Binder (@JoeBinder) May 9, 2025

FOX caught a glimpse of His Holiness during Houston Astros shortstop Adam Everett's at-bat with two outs in the top of the ninth inning and the White Sox leading 5-3.

Chicago closer Bobby Jenks eventually struck Everett out to preserve the W, and pave the way for the White Sox to sweep Houston and win the franchise's first title in 88 years.

"Family always knows best, and it sounds like Pope Leo XIV’s lifelong fandom falls a little closer to 35th and Shields," the White Sox said in a statement Thursday. "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."

After posting the worst season in modern MLB history with a 41-121 record in 2024, the White Sox are off to a 10-28 start this year. 

Things are looking bleak on the South Side, but, hey, at least the pope has their back.