Pope Leo XIV Receives Cool Major League Baseball Honor
The last few weeks have been life-changing for the man formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost. He was elected on May 8 as the new pope, succeeding the recently deceased Pope Francis.
Pope Leo XIV, as he is now known, has met with church leaders and other dignitaries from around the world. This week, he received a major honor from his favorite Major League Baseball team.
Ahead of their game against the Seattle Mariners, the Chicago White Sox honored the first American pope with a mural commemorating his papacy and his appearance at Game 1 of the 2005 World Series.
Photos and videos from the game's broadcast were revealed after Leo XIV was elected, and those images were incorporated into the commemorative mural.
The team also added a frame jersey next to the seat the new pope occupied during the World Series, showing that he's been a fan of the team for at least two decades.
"When people come into the ballpark, it’s an interesting piece of our history and they’re going to want to see it,” said White Sox chief executive and marketing officer Brooks Boyer.
The White Sox may need divine intervention after finishing with one of the worst records in major American sports history in 2024. Chicago went 41-121 last season, setting a new record for the most losses in a modern baseball season.
The team is 14-34 this season and appears destined for another finish outside of the playoffs, but any improvement is a step in the right direction after how poorly they played in 2024.
Leo XIV has ties to Chicago as a native of the city, but he's also proud to represent another major American city in Philadelphia. He attended Villanova University, earning his bachelor's degree from one of the most well-regarded Catholic institutions in the country.
The new pope will look to unite the people and bring the world together in a time of great need. He's been called upon for a great purpose, but helping the White Sox win another World Series could be an even more intense calling for the lifelong fan.