(The Hill) — A recently resurfaced video from the 2005 World Series featuring Pope Leo XIV shows him at the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Houston Astros, clearly affirming his support for the Chicago team.
The historical moment catches the first American pope displaying visible emotion as White Sox closer Bobby Jenks secured a 5-3 victory over the Astros. This clip puts an end to the ongoing curiosity about the Pope’s baseball allegiance.
“He was never a supporter of the Cubs, so I’m not sure how that rumor started. He has always been a White Sox fan. Our mom, on the other hand, rooted for the Cubs,” his brother, John, stated to WGN News on Thursday.
“I don’t know, maybe that clued in there, and our dad was a Cardinals fan, so I don’t know where that all came from.”
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The Chicago Cubs-White Sox rivalry has existed for over 100 years.
On Thursday, the Cubs franchise shared an image of a digital board at Wrigley Field that read, “Hey Chicago! He’s a Cubs fan!”
The Sox also shared an image of the board at Rate Field congratulating the new Pope, hailing him as “the South Side’s very own.”
Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Prevost, is a native of Dolton, Ill., right outside the Chicago city limit. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and completed mission work in Peru.
President Trump, former President Barack Obama and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have congratulated Pope Leo XIV in public posts, wishing him a successful papacy.
