Phillie Phanatic Walks Out As Pope Leo XIV to Thunderous Applause

In celebration of the new Pope, Leo XIV, being introduced last Thursday, the Phillies had some fun in a comically-timed matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals at their home ballpark.

After displaying a shot of white smoke exiting the Sistine Chapel on the video board in center field, the Phanatic was escorted to a balcony before dancing to George Michael's hit song "Faith". While rocking with two other performing Cardinals, the mascot wielded a sign reading "Bless the Phillies" which sparked the home crowd.

While the performance failed to ignite the Phillies in their tightly contested 3-2 loss, the Phanatic added yet another viral moment in the fan-favorite mascot's tenure. Since their debut in 1978, the Phillie Phanatic has always given fans something to laugh or cheer about.

Philadelphia will look to build on its 7-3 record over the last 10 games with two more games against the Cardinals and a three game set at Citizens Bank Park before heading west to take on the Colorado Rockies, who are on pace to smash the single-season loss record set just a season ago by the Chicago White Sox.