Pope Leo shows off White Sox cap after team sends it to Vatican
Pope Leo XIV posed with the Chicago White Sox's 'Pope Hat' after the team sent it to the Vatican, as shown in a photo posted Thursday. The hat was a giveaway at a game earlier this month, with nearly 40,000 distributed. The pope, a lifelong White Sox fan from Illinois, has received other team memorabilia, and the club leads the AL Central at 70-63.
The "Pope Hat" giveaway drew an announced crowd of 38,113 to Rate Field on Aug. 11, with nearly 40,000 mitre-style caps distributed to fans. The photo of Pope Leo holding the hat was shared Thursday on the White Sox's official X account, showing him alongside Father Tom McCarthy, a fellow Chicagoan.
The pontiff's bond with the franchise runs deep. He attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, which the White Sox won en route to sweeping Houston for their first championship since 1917. Beyond the hat, he has received a signed jersey from Paul Konerko and the final-out ball from that series, presented by catcher A.J. Pierzynski in June.
This story could resonate beyond sports fandom, potentially reinforcing a sense of cultural connection between the Vatican and everyday American communities. For White Sox supporters, the pope's visible enthusiasm may deepen local pride during a surprisingly competitive season, while for Catholics nationwide, it could humanize the pontiff as approachable and relatable. The gesture may also subtly boost the team's profile among audiences who might otherwise overlook a mid-market franchise, though its broader societal influence likely remains modest and symbolic rather than transformative.