Pope Leo XIV Picks His Team — And It’s Not the Cubs

As the world celebrates the election of Pope Leo XIV — the first American to lead the Catholic Church — one lighthearted question has Chicago buzzing: Cubs or Sox?

Born in Bronzeville and raised in the south suburbs of Chicago, Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, grew up in a sports-loving but divided household. His mother was a die-hard Cubs fan from the North Side. His father? A devoted St. Louis Cardinals supporter.

But when it came to choosing a team of his own, young Robert didn’t follow either of them.

“Whoever said Cubs on the radio got it wrong,” his brother John Prevost told WGN. “It’s Sox. He was never, ever a Cubs fan.”

Raised on the South Side — Rooted in Sox Nation

Pope Leo’s love for the Chicago White Sox isn’t just casual. His roots run deep. Raised in Dolton, a suburb on the Far Southeast Side, he grew up attending mass at St. Mary of the Assumption and following South Side baseball. And according to his brother John — a former Catholic school principal — that loyalty never wavered.

Though now the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, Pope Leo remains a South Sider at heart.

Cubs Tried to Claim Him — But the Sox Had the Last Word

After his historic election on May 8, the Chicago Cubs posted a tribute online, referencing legendary broadcaster Harry Caray with the quote: “The good Lord wants the Cubs to win!”

But it didn’t take long for the White Sox to respond — and settle the debate.

“Family always knows best,” the team 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.”

To make their point crystal clear, the White Sox sent a team jersey and cap directly to the Vatican.

More Than a Fan — A World Series Witness

Though much of his priesthood was spent serving the Church in Peru, Pope Leo’s connection to Chicago sports never faded. In fact, he attended the 2005 World Series at Guaranteed Rate Field, cheering on the Sox during their championship run.

A 1977 graduate of Villanova University, Leo XIV has always been an avid sports enthusiast. Beyond baseball, he’s a self-described casual tennis player and a longtime supporter of Alianza Lima, one of Peru’s most popular soccer clubs.

“Since leaving Peru I have had few occasions to practice, so I am looking forward to getting back on the court,” he joked in a 2023 interview. “Not that this new job has left me much free time for it so far.”

Rooted in Chicago, Leading the World

Despite his global responsibilities and Vatican duties, Pope Leo XIV’s Chicago identity continues to shine through. From his childhood parishes to his South Side sports loyalties, the new pontiff’s love for his hometown — and his team — remains clear.