The Chicago White Sox have honored one of their most passionate supporters—who just so happens to be the newly appointed Pope Leo XIV . Born and raised in Chicago, Robert Prevost was often seen cheering for the Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field, long before the Vatican chose him to lead 1.4 billion Catholics as the first American pope .
Pope Leo XIV gets a special surprise as White Sox unveil exclusive tribute at their home stadium
The connection between the Pope and the White Sox runs deep. His baseball allegiance has never wavered. As his brother once confirmed, “He is a White Sox fan, not a Cubs fan.” And the franchise has never been prouder of that fact.
To celebrate this historic moment, the White Sox unveiled a heartfelt tribute at the very spot where Father Bob, as he was known then, watched Game 1 of the 2005 World Series . Sitting in Seat 2, Row 19, Section 140, Pope Leo witnessed his team take on the Houston Astros on October 22, 2005—a night etched in Chicago sports history. That exact seat is now memorialized with a mural, featuring a broadcast still of a joyful Prevost seated with his friend Ed Schmit and grandson Eddie. A display case beside it features a No.14 White Sox jersey adorned with “Pope Leo” on the back.
White Sox CEO Brooks Boyer hinted at even more to come. “When people come into the ballpark, it’s an interesting piece of our history and they’re going to want to see it, so we’re going to be able to put something on that seat,” he said.
The homage doesn't stop at the seat. A large graphic installation at Guaranteed Rate Field showcases the Pope waving with the Chicago skyline behind him. Beside it, fans can admire a photograph of the future Pope celebrating during the 2005 World Series—a moment when the White Sox broke an 88-year championship drought. Another image that went viral, taken by Heidi Skokal, shows him on the phone during that game—many jokingly imagined he was calling “the man upstairs” for divine intervention.
As if scripted by fate, while the White Sox honored their most famous fan, Pope Leo XIV was in audience with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who presented him with a personalized Chicago Bears jersey . Even from over 4,000 miles away, the Pope’s Chicago spirit lives on.
His devotion to the White Sox makes history, marking the first time a Major League Baseball team has publicly claimed a Pope as one of their own. Faith and baseball, in this case, share the same dugout.
Also Read: How a friend’s decision to give beer at Pirates game may have led to a deadly accident at PNC Park
Pope Leo XIV gets a special surprise as White Sox unveil exclusive tribute at their home stadium
The connection between the Pope and the White Sox runs deep. His baseball allegiance has never wavered. As his brother once confirmed, “He is a White Sox fan, not a Cubs fan.” And the franchise has never been prouder of that fact.
The White Sox commemorated Pope Leo XIV attending Game 1 of the 2005 World Series with a graphic installation in the section where he sat. pic.twitter.com/Bd26uSQ6Uo
— White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) May 19, 2025
To celebrate this historic moment, the White Sox unveiled a heartfelt tribute at the very spot where Father Bob, as he was known then, watched Game 1 of the 2005 World Series . Sitting in Seat 2, Row 19, Section 140, Pope Leo witnessed his team take on the Houston Astros on October 22, 2005—a night etched in Chicago sports history. That exact seat is now memorialized with a mural, featuring a broadcast still of a joyful Prevost seated with his friend Ed Schmit and grandson Eddie. A display case beside it features a No.14 White Sox jersey adorned with “Pope Leo” on the back.
A mural dedicated to Pope Leo at Rate Field.
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) May 19, 2025
White Sox VP Brooks Boyer is joined with the Schmit family who brought the Pope to Game 1 of the 2005 World Series.
The Pope sat in Section 140, Row 19, Seat 2.
📸 @jon_greenberg pic.twitter.com/4Od5wauRe2
White Sox CEO Brooks Boyer hinted at even more to come. “When people come into the ballpark, it’s an interesting piece of our history and they’re going to want to see it, so we’re going to be able to put something on that seat,” he said.
The homage doesn't stop at the seat. A large graphic installation at Guaranteed Rate Field showcases the Pope waving with the Chicago skyline behind him. Beside it, fans can admire a photograph of the future Pope celebrating during the 2005 World Series—a moment when the White Sox broke an 88-year championship drought. Another image that went viral, taken by Heidi Skokal, shows him on the phone during that game—many jokingly imagined he was calling “the man upstairs” for divine intervention.
On Pope Leo XIV first Popemobile ride someone in the crowd shouts out "I'm from Chicago. White Sox. Go White Sox!" What a time to be alive. pic.twitter.com/BkeDEa3mEa
— Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) May 18, 2025
As if scripted by fate, while the White Sox honored their most famous fan, Pope Leo XIV was in audience with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who presented him with a personalized Chicago Bears jersey . Even from over 4,000 miles away, the Pope’s Chicago spirit lives on.
His devotion to the White Sox makes history, marking the first time a Major League Baseball team has publicly claimed a Pope as one of their own. Faith and baseball, in this case, share the same dugout.
Also Read: How a friend’s decision to give beer at Pirates game may have led to a deadly accident at PNC Park
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