When Pope Leo XIV appeared before the world in his white papal vestments, the image that lingered in many minds was not just the papal regalia but a simple baseball tucked into his hand, a souvenir from a night in Chicago more than two decades earlier.
Born Robert Prevost in the Windy City, the future pontiff grew up cheering for the Chicago White Sox, a loyalty that earned him the nickname Father Bob among his peers. He attended the opening game of the 2005 World Series not as a cardinal, but as a devoted fan watching the South Side clash with the Houston Astros.
A Papal Connection to America’s Pastime
The White Sox completed a four‑game sweep that night, and the celebration continued when former catcher A.J. Pierzynski presented the pope with a baseball from the final out of Game 1. The gesture was more than symbolic; it was a tangible link between the Vatican and the team’s historic triumph.
Since his election last May, Pope Leo XIV has added several sports‑related tokens to his collection. A pinstriped No. 14 jersey signed by Hall of Famer Paul Konerko now hangs in his private quarters, while a weathered bat once wielded by Hall of Famer Nellie Fox serves as a reminder of the team’s early glory. The pontiff also received a custom Chicago Bears jersey from Vice President JD Vance and a Bulls jersey bearing the number 14 and the name “Pope Leo” from longtime Bulls broadcaster Chuck Swirsky in November.
Beyond Baseball: A Multisport Tribute
The White Sox have announced that they will honor the pope at their August 11 matchup against the Cincinnati Reds, a ceremony that will blend the reverence of the Vatican with the pageantry of the ballpark. The tribute promises to be a unique intersection of faith, sport and American cultural history.
For a pope whose roots are firmly planted in Chicago’s neighborhoods, the outpouring of sports‑related gifts is more than a novelty; it is a testament to a lifelong affinity that bridges the gap between the Holy See and the heartland of American baseball.