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New Pope Breaks the Internet After Being Spotted in White Sox Hat

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zach Kaplan | Last updated Jun 11, 2025 6:35 PM ET

After Pope Leo XIV became the first American-born Pope to be elected to the papacy on May 8, questions began rising about his sports fandom, as one does.

When the news broke that he was a born-and-bred Chicagoan, the questions began. Cubs or White Sox? Bears fan? A Caleb Williams supporter?

While the Cubs jumped on the publicity to prematurely declare Leo was a Cubs fan, his brother, John Prevost, publicly stated he was a White Sox fan.

White Sox fans overjoyed at the news, especially in an era where the Sox don't exactly provide much happiness.

On Wednesday, Sox fans got something more to rejoice about around their new pride point.

Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native, stuns in a White Sox cap. pic.twitter.com/AeSP4ZYEFQ
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 11, 2025

At his general audience Wednesday at St. Peter's Square, the new pope donned a White Sox cap, which the world of sports media understandably went wild for.

The Pope's unabashed White Sox fandom is big for American sports fans, because he's one of the first popes to wear it on his sleeve.

Pope Francis was openly a supporter of San Lorenzo, a football club to his native Argentina, but Leo XIV being the first American pope and bringing his American fandom to the Vatican is nothing short of incredible.

One account on X posted: "A historic first for a Pope making a public appearance with a cap other than the papal white skull cap."

Another user posted: "Didn’t they lose like 120 games last year?! They need help from above," with a laughing emoji.

With today's appearance from the new pope, one can only wonder when the White Sox or the basketball team from the pope's alma mater Villanova will take a trip out to the Vatican.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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