Yardbarker
x
MLB Team Announces Pope-Inspired Giveaway Amid Fan Frenzy
© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

MLB Team Announces Pope-Inspired Giveaway Amid Fan Frenzy

Originally posted on The Spun  |  By Tzvi Machlin  |  Last updated Apr 10, 2026 3:54 PM ET

It's approaching a full year since Chicago-native and longtime White Sox fan Robert Prevost was elected Pope and took the name Leo XIV. In the months since his election, White Sox fans have had no shortage of fun and have made plenty of Pope-themed merchandise. Now Major League Baseball is getting involved in the fun.

On Friday, the White Sox announced that they will be doing a special giveaway of pope-themed hats - a miter with the White Sox logo on it - to be given out to all fans for their August 11 game against the Cincinnati Reds. The promotion was initially meant for special ticket-holders, but will now be given to all fans who attend the game instead.

"The world’s most famous White Sox fan will be honored with a specialty giveaway at Chicago’s Rate Field later this year," Major League Baseball announced. "Initially announced as a special-ticket giveaway, the pope-themed hats -- shaped like the Pope's miter with a White Sox logo on it -- will now be distributed to all fans on Aug. 11, when the club hosts the Reds."

Excitement Builds

Fans have been pretty pumped for a while about their association with the Pope. Even people who don't even believe in Catholicism have expressed excitement about this giveaway:

"The way I want one so badly. This is better than any bobblehead !!!" one user declared.

"I am neither Catholic nor a White Sox fan. I want one," wrote another.

"This is the greatest @MLB promotion any team has ever done. Period. Do you all realize how extraordinary it is that millennia of Catholicism and centuries of organized sports came together to produce this moment?" a third asked.

"They’re gonna add like five more Pope hat games by the end of this."

"Best promo of the year. Possibly ever."

"Honestly, kudos to the White Sox marketing department. Great original concept, and opening it to everyone all-but-guarantees this will be one of the only non-Cubs sellouts of the season."


VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - MAY 8: The newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

From Chicago to the Vatican

Born in Chicago, Robert Prevost spent five decades in various religious roles, including two decades working as a missionary in Peru. He returned to his home city in 1998 while rising through the ranks of the Catholic Church. During that time, he famously attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series between the White Sox and Houston Astros, with footage of him in the crowd later being immortalized.

Upon his election to Pope in May 2025, Prevost became the first U.S.-born pope in history and fans quickly scrambled to learn more about his favorite sports teams. When it was revealed that he was raised as a White Sox fan, the entire fanbase embraced him as their most famous fan in the entire world.

Prevost remains a White Sox fan to this day, sometimes donning a White Sox hat or even leading crowds of people in chants supporting the team.

The long-term hope is likely that he will one day visit the United States to throw the first pitch at a game.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!