Pope Leo XIV spotted in 2005 World Series footage

Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope in history and, therefore, the first from Chicago. The discussion around social media quickly became what it meant for the sports teams in town, as well as which team he cheers for on the baseball diamond.

ABC News’ Terry Moran, citing colleague Linsey Davis, reported the new pope rooted for the Cubs. However, the new pope’s brother, John Prevost, wondered how that got started considering he’s a lifelong White Sox fan.

“He was never, ever a Cubs fan,” John Prevost told WGN-TV. “So I don’t know where that came from. He was always a Sox fan. Our mother was a Cubs fan. Maybe that clued in there. And our dad was a Cardinal fan. So I don’t know where that all came from.

“And all the aunts, our mom’s family, was from the Northside. So that’s why they were Cubs fans. … But where it came from, I don’t know, because he would’ve been the only one.”

After that report, the Cubs put a message on the iconic Wrigley Field marquee to celebrate. However, after his allegiance to the White Sox was confirmed, the South Siders responded in kind with an identical message on the board at Rate Field. The franchise also released a statement welcoming the pontiff back to the ballpark.

“Family always knows best, and it sounds like Pope Leo XIV’s lifelong fandom falls a little closer to 35th and Shields,” the White Sox said in a statement to WGN’s Josh Frydman. “Some things are bigger than baseball, and in this case, we’re glad to have a White Sox fan represented in the Vatican.

“A pinstripe White Sox jersey with his name on it and a hat are already on the way to Rome, and of course, the Pontiff always is welcome at his ballpark.”