When Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV, Chicagoans immediately wondered: Cubs or Sox? Growing up in Bronzeville and the south suburbs, his mother cheered for the Cubs, while his father rooted for the St. Louis Cardinals. But according to his brother John, the Pope’s allegiance was clear.
“Whoever said Cubs on the radio got it wrong,” John told WGN. “It’s Sox. He was never, ever a Cubs fan.”
Despite initial reports suggesting otherwise, the Pope’s South Side loyalty was never in doubt.
The Chicago Cubs quickly tried to claim the new Pope as a fan, even posting a tribute online. But the White Sox responded with a definitive gesture: sending a team jersey and cap directly to the Vatican.
“Family always knows best,” the team told NBC Chicago. “And it sounds like Pope Leo XIV’s lifelong fandom falls a little closer to 35th and Shields.”
The White Sox proudly embraced their connection to the Pope, celebrating his South Side roots.
Pope Leo XIV’s passion for sports extends beyond baseball. A 1977 graduate of Villanova University, he has long been an avid tennis player, though his new role leaves little time for the court. During his years in Peru, he became a devoted supporter of Alianza Lima, one of the country’s most popular soccer clubs.
His love for sports reflects his deep connection to community and tradition, values that continue to guide his papacy.
Pope Leo XIV’s journey from Chicago’s South Side to the Vatican is a testament to his unwavering faith and enduring love for sports. Whether cheering for the White Sox or supporting Alianza Lima, his fandom adds a relatable dimension to his global spiritual leadership.
