As the world celebrated the historic moment of welcoming the first American pope, Chicagoans found themselves caught up in a different kind of debate—was Pope Leo XIV a Cubs fan or a Sox fan? The man born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood and raised in the south suburbs grew up in a home divided by baseball loyalties.

His mother, hailing from the North Side, passionately supported the Chicago Cubs, while his father remained loyal to the St. Louis Cardinals. However, according to his brother John Prevost, the future pontiff had made up his mind from an early age—and his heart belonged to the White Sox. “Whoever said Cubs on the radio got it wrong,” John told WGN in an interview. “It’s Sox. He was never, ever a Cubs fan.” With that candid confession, John cleared up a rumor that had quickly gained traction after Pope Leo XIV’s election. The new pope, who has two brothers—Louis, a military veteran now living in Florida, and John, a former Catholic school principal—has suddenly become the subject of a lighthearted yet deeply Chicago-specific controversy.

As Pope Leo XIV takes on the responsibility of leading 1.4 billion Catholics across the globe, his baseball allegiance remains proudly local and unmistakably South Side. Within hours of his elevation to the papacy, the Chicago Cubs tried to stake their claim by posting an online tribute that referenced a famous quote from legendary broadcaster Harry Caray: “The good Lord wants the Cubs to win!” The intention may have been good-natured, but the South Side wasn’t about to let it slide.

The White Sox responded quickly and decisively, sending a jersey and cap directly to the Vatican. “Family always knows best,” the White Sox told NBC Chicago. “And it sounds like Pope Leo XIV’s lifelong fandom falls a little closer to 35th and Shields. Some things are bigger than baseball, but in this case, we’re glad to have a White Sox fan represented at the Vatican.” Pope Leo’s deep Chicago roots stretch far beyond baseball. He spent his early years in the suburb of Dolton and regularly attended mass at St. Mary of the Assumption on the Far Southeast Side. His connection to the community remained strong even as his religious calling took him far from home. According to the Sun-Times, Pope Leo’s upbringing and dedication to his faith were strongly influenced by his surroundings.

At a recent press conference, Sister Barbara Reid, president of the Catholic Theological Union where Prevost once studied, spoke glowingly of his character: “He’s an extraordinary person with a very keen intellect, a heart as big as the whole world, especially for the people who most are on the margins.” Despite decades spent serving the Church in various international roles—most notably in Peru—Pope Leo XIV never lost his love for Chicago or the sports that shaped his youth. In 2005, before becoming pope, he proudly attended the World Series at Guaranteed Rate Field to support the White Sox in their championship run, a move that further solidifies his South Side allegiance. His love of sports doesn’t end at baseball. A graduate of Villanova University in 1977, Pope Leo has long been an active and passionate sports enthusiast. Tennis, in particular, has been one of his favorite pastimes. In a 2023 interview, he described himself as a casual tennis player and expressed his desire to return to the court. “Since leaving Peru I have had few occasions to practice, so I am looking forward to getting back on the court,” he shared. “Not that this new job has left me much free time for it so far.” In addition to baseball and tennis, Pope Leo XIV is also an avid soccer fan. He has been a longtime supporter of Alianza Lima, one of the most popular soccer clubs in Peru. This connection to the Peruvian team reflects his years of ministry in South America and highlights how deeply he embraced the culture and community there. While Pope Leo XIV now holds one of the most powerful spiritual roles in the world, he remains grounded in the values and passions that defined his early life. From the pews of St. Mary’s in Dolton to the stands of Guaranteed Rate Field, his journey is uniquely shaped by faith, family, and a lifelong love for sports.