Cubs or Sox for Pope Leo XIV?

Published: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 12:37 am

Pope Leo XIV: A Chicago Divided? Cubs vs. White Sox in Vatican City

History was made in Vatican City on Thursday with the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff. Born Robert Francis Prevost and raised in the Chicago area, the new Pope's connection to the Windy City has sparked a friendly rivalry between two of its most beloved institutions: the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox.

Initial reports, including a congratulatory tweet from the Chicago Cubs, suggested Pope Leo XIV was a fan of the North Side team. However, the celebration was short-lived. Leo XIV's brother, John Prevost, quickly refuted the claim, telling WGN News that the Pope was "never, ever a Cubs fan" and was, in fact, a lifelong White Sox supporter. The White Sox themselves jumped on the bandwagon, posting their own celebratory video.

The confusion, according to John Prevost, may stem from their mother's Cubs fandom, whose family hailed from the north side of Chicago.

While the debate rages on, one team can definitively claim a connection to the new Pope: the Villanova Wildcats. Leo XIV is a 1977 graduate of Villanova University, and the school's basketball program, including current NBA stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, are already planning to celebrate their famous alumnus. The "Roommates Show" podcast, hosted by Brunson and Hart, even joked about having the Pope on their show.

The story highlights the passionate sports culture of Chicago and the unexpected intersection of faith and fandom. As the world celebrates the new Pope, the debate over his baseball allegiance adds a touch of local flavor to the historic event.

Keywords: Pope Leo XIV, Chicago, Cubs, White Sox, Vatican City, Robert Francis Prevost, American Pope, Villanova Wildcats, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Chicago sports, baseball, pontiff, WGN News, ABC7, sports fandom

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