Pope Leo White Sox jersey: Chicago baseball team revives Paul Konerko's retired Number 14 for new Pope Leo XIV jersey
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago White Sox have certainly had some great moments in history.

Recently, no team has needed a morale boost more than the White Sox, and having support from the Vatican is about as uplifting as it gets.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

It was the historic news watched around the world. A new pope, the first ever from the United States, is from Chicago.

And the first question of any Chicagoan is, “Cubs or Sox?” Let’s just say there was jubilation on the South Side.

“This iconic global leader is, in fact, a fan of our team. It’s been incredible!” expressed Christine O’Reilly, Vice President of White Sox Community Relations.

The White Sox shared this news on Twitter last week after it was verified. The footage of then-Father Robert Prevost at the 2005 World Series has been widely circulated.

But there is one small issue. The Sox already retired the Paul Konerko’s Number 14, 10 years ago, long before Pope Leo XIV was elected. The Sox expect Konerko is willing to share.

“He’s OK with that, yes. It’s probably in his best interests,” O’Reilly said.

First baseman Konerko caught the throw for the last out in the World Series and later gave the ball to owner Jerry Reinsdorf at the Sox victory parade. So, he has always had a good sense of who the boss is.

RELATED | Chicago-style Pope Leo XIV merch hits the internet as Portillo’s names sandwich in his honor

Sox front office members thought it could not get any better than when another famous fan, President Barack Obama, was in the White House. But it did.

“Now, for the first time ever, there’s an American pope, who is a professed and profound fan of the White Sox? It’s almost too much to even process,” O’Reilly said.

The White Sox shared an image of a special “Pope Leo” jersey last week.

Team officials are still taking it all in, but the possibility of future promotional opportunities is not lost on them.

“We certainly want to be reverent with it, but there’s opportunities to have fun with it, too,” O’Reilly said.

The White Sox believe the future pope sat in section 140 during the World Series in 2005. So, the number 14 comes into play again. The Sox have not determined which seat the future Pope sat in, but they expect it will be in pretty high demand.

READ MORE | Exploring Pope Leo XIV’s deep roots on Chicago’s South Side, south suburbs

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
TikTok star Sana Yousaf, 17, shot dead at her home by man she repeatedly rejected

17-Year-Old TikTok Star Sana Yousaf Tragically Killed at Home by Man Whose Advances She Declined

A TikTok sensation met a tragic end, falling victim to a horrific…
Why Yankees' High-A rotation is full of prized prospects

Why Are There So Many Promising Prospects in the Yankees’ High-A Rotation?

For almost the first two months of the season, James Cooper may…
Back of a German firefighter's orange jacket with "FEUERWEHR" printed on it.

DHL Depot Incident: 12 Hurt and Hazmat Teams Called in After Suspicious Package Discovered Amidst Recent Parcel Threats

At least 12 individuals sustained injuries when a suspicious package was found…
Close-up of Donald Trump speaking.

Kemi Badenoch Supports Travel Restrictions and Expresses Concerns Over Immigration Impact on Britain

KEMI Badenoch has said she would back Trump-style travel bans — as…
Israel Bombs Christian-Hospital Gaza: A Tragic Attack

Tragic Incident: Christian Hospital in Gaza Hit by Israeli Airstrike

On June 5, 2025, Israeli forces bombed the courtyard of the Al-Ahli…
LA28 organizers confident Trump's latest travel ban won't affect Los Angeles Olympics

LA28 Organizers Assure That Trump’s Recent Travel Ban Won’t Impact Los Angeles Olympics

LOS ANGELES — The preparations for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles…
SpaceX's Musk threatens to decommission Dragon capsule amid fight with Trump

Elon Musk Plans to Retire Dragon Capsule in Ongoing Dispute with Trump

Trump suggested the possibility of cutting government contracts awarded to Musk’s SpaceX…
‘Psychotic' Sydney Sweeney admits she’s ‘really vicious’ on set

‘Sydney Sweeney Confesses to Being Intensely Fierce on Set’

Don’t let her sweet personality fool you. Sydney Sweeney recently revealed that…
LIST: Potential candidates for Florida's governor race in 2026

Rundown: Possible Contenders for Florida’s 2026 Gubernatorial Election

Candidates for Florida’s gubernatorial race in 2026 are starting to emerge across…
Federal judge approves Colorado law banning people under 21 from buying a gun

Federal Court Upholds Colorado Law Restricting Gun Purchases for Individuals Under 21

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A federal judge upheld…
Karen Read denies noticing confrontation between deceased boyfriend and ATF agent hours before death

Karen Read Claims She Was Unaware of Any Dispute Between Late Boyfriend and ATF Agent Shortly Before His Passing

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Soon after her attorneys…
GirlsDoPorn boss, once one of FBI’s 10 most wanted, pleads guilty to sex trafficking

Former Most-Wanted FBI Fugitive and GirlsDoPorn Owner Admits to Sex Trafficking Charges

PervsDoPrison. Michael Pratt, the notorious founder of GirlsDoPorn, who was previously placed…