CHICAGO (WLS) — The Catholic Church has a new hymn, and it’s “Go Sox, go!”
The College of Cardinals selected its first Chicago-style pope, and the internet is already making memes, edits and merch.
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Even Portillo’s is getting in on the action, naming a sandwich after Pope Leo XIV, who was born on the city’s South Side and grew up in Dolton.
“Having shared a living space with him for a year, I learned that his preferred cake is the chocolate cake from Portillo’s,” said Br. Joe Ruiz, who teaches. “He is down-to-earth, genuinely humble, easy to converse with, and very approachable.”
Want to rep da pope?
Several websites are selling merch featuring Pope Leo XIV.
You can find them on RAYGUN, Chitown Clothing and Obvious Shirts.
Want your own, personal Pope Leo XIV?
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum is now selling Pope Leo XIV bobbleheads.
John Prevost made it clear that his brother, Pope Leo XIV, previously known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, roots for the South Siders.
Rate Field highlighted his baseball allegiance with, “Hey Chicago, he’s a Sox fan!” in response to Wrigley Field’s message, “Hey, Chicago, he’s a Cubs fan!”
Prevost later clarified that their mother was from the North Side, and her side of the family roots for the Cubs.
“I hear he’s fond of the Cubs. God bless him,” remarked Fr. Gregory Sakowicz of Holy Name Cathedral, shortly after the Vatican signaled the election of a new pope.
But the Sox appear to have claimed Pope Leo XIV, creating a “Pope Leo” jersey.
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