As the world welcomed the first American pope, Chicagoans buzzed over a fun question: Cubs or White Sox?
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood and raised in the southern suburbs, made his baseball allegiance clear early on — he’s a proud White Sox fan. Despite his mother’s loyalty to the Cubs and his father’s love for the St. Louis Cardinals, his brother John confirmed: “It’s Sox. He was never, ever a Cubs fan.”
The Cubs mistakenly celebrated his election with a tribute, but the White Sox got it right, sending a jersey and cap to the Vatican. “Family always knows best,” the team said, proud to claim the pope as one of their own.
Pope Leo also supports Peru’s Alianza Lima soccer team and enjoys tennis, though his papal duties leave little time for the court. Despite a global role, his Chicago and South Side sports loyalties remain strong.
