When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost ascended to the papacy as Pope Leo XIV, his historic election as the first American-born pope set off celebrations in Chicago—and ignited one of the city’s oldest rivalries. Does the new pontiff root for the Cubs or the crosstown White Sox?
The Cubs were first to plant their flag, flashing a message on the iconic Wrigley Field marquee: “Hey, Chicago, He’s a Cubs fan!” But as any Chicagoan knows, allegiance to either North or South Side means more than a preference—it’s personal. And for Pope Leo XIV, born at Mercy Hospital and raised in Dolton, Illinois, the answer lies firmly in his South Side roots: White Sox all the way.
Why It Matters
White smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the great bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out on Thursday, signaling that a new pope had been chosen on the second day of the conclave.
“Leo, who spent much of his clerical life in Peru and is fluent in Spanish, Italian, and English, was named pope amid growing ideological divides within the Catholic hierarchy, with cardinals split over whether to continue the more inclusive direction charted by Francis or to return to stricter doctrinal enforcement.”
The first American pope, born and bred in Chicago, would bring a new flavor to the Vatican, including what is likely to be the first time a pontiff has ever had strong allegiances to a U.S. sports franchise.
What To Know
John Prevost, his older brother, confirmed the White Sox allegiance to multiple outlets, reiterating that their South Side upbringing left little doubt. Speaking with WGN, he said:
“He was never, ever a Cubs fan,” John said in an interview. “He was always a Sox fan. Our mother was a Cubs fan—I don’t know, maybe that factored in. And our dad was a Cardinals fan, so I don’t know where that all came from.”
In an interview with CBS News Chicago, he recalled the brothers serving as altar boys in Dolton and earning trips to White Sox games as a reward.
“Really, from Dolton to Sox Park wasn’t that big of a deal, and of course we were both altar boys, so one of the rewards we got was to go to a Sox game,” he said.
The Chicago White Sox, who haven’t won a World Series in 20 years, responded swiftly—and with celebratory flair—to the papal clarification, as if they had just clinched another championship. In a statement shared with Newsweek, the team said: “Family always knows best, and it sounds like Pope Leo XIV’s lifelong fandom falls a little closer to 35th and Shields,” referring to the intersection of Rate Field, the stadium where the Sox play.
They also announced they were sending a pinstriped jersey and a White Sox hat to the Vatican.
More evidence of Pope Leo’s fandom came with an image resurfaced by the Chicago Sun-Times—a photo of the future pope attending the 2005 World Series, where the White Sox secured their first championship in 88 years.
Former Sox catcher and Fox broadcaster A.J. Pierzynski gave the new pontiff a public thumbs-up, adding to the chorus of South Side pride.
The pope’s connection to Chicago sports extends beyond baseball. Leo is a Villanova University alumnus, class of 1977. While there’s no public record of him weighing in on the Chicago Bears, Bulls or Blackhawks, his fondness for Villanova basketball is documented. Following the Wildcats’ NCAA title in 2016, he retweeted congratulations celebrating the school’s championship win.
Still, for many Chicagoans, it’s the local baseball divide that matters most.
“In Chicago, your team is your identity,” big brother John said. “That’s just how it is. And Rob’s always been Sox.”
What Happens Next
The new pope will preside over an inauguration Mass in St. Peter’s Square, which usually takes place within a week of the election.
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