Amidst fervent baseball rivalries in Chicago, the recent appointment of a Chicago-born pope has sparked amusing confusion among fans, leaving some to ponder whether he supports the iconic Chicago Cubs or the Chicago White Sox. The initial reactions from both teams claimed the pontiff as their own, but clarification from the pope's brother suggests otherwise.
Papal Fandom in Chicago: Who Does the Pontiff Really Root For?
Papal Fandom in Chicago: Who Does the Pontiff Really Root For?
In a city divided by baseball loyalties, the new pope's allegiance stirs debate among fans of the Cubs and the Sox.
In Chicago, baseball fandom is serious business, colored by a north-south divide where the Cubs reign supreme on the north side with Wrigley Field, and the White Sox hold court on the south side at Rate Field. The city buzzed with speculation about Pope Leo XIV's baseball preferences following his appointment, leading fans of both teams to assert their claims to affection for him.
A spokesperson from the Chicago Cubs initially refrained from confirming the pope's fandom. However, Tom Ricketts, the Cubs' executive chairman, publicly extended an invitation for the pope to visit Wrigley Field, suggesting he could partake in the beloved “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” or host a memorable event akin to the past papal visits to Yankee Stadium, even proposing a "Sermon on the Mound" at the iconic park.
As Wrigley Field's marquee proclaimed the new pontiff as a fan of the Cubs, the reality was swiftly challenged by the pope’s brother, John Prevost. Speaking to WGN, a well-known local television station, Prevost asserted definitively, “He was never, ever a Cubs fan. He was always a Sox fan.” This revelation shifted the conversation back to the Sox, leaving many fans in a state of lighthearted bewilderment regarding the true loyalties of their spiritual leader.
With both teams asserting their claims on the pope and stories unfolding around his preferences, the comedy of Chicago's baseball rivalries continues to thrive, proving once again that in the Windy City, even the papacy can be caught up in the passion of baseball fandom.
A spokesperson from the Chicago Cubs initially refrained from confirming the pope's fandom. However, Tom Ricketts, the Cubs' executive chairman, publicly extended an invitation for the pope to visit Wrigley Field, suggesting he could partake in the beloved “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” or host a memorable event akin to the past papal visits to Yankee Stadium, even proposing a "Sermon on the Mound" at the iconic park.
As Wrigley Field's marquee proclaimed the new pontiff as a fan of the Cubs, the reality was swiftly challenged by the pope’s brother, John Prevost. Speaking to WGN, a well-known local television station, Prevost asserted definitively, “He was never, ever a Cubs fan. He was always a Sox fan.” This revelation shifted the conversation back to the Sox, leaving many fans in a state of lighthearted bewilderment regarding the true loyalties of their spiritual leader.
With both teams asserting their claims on the pope and stories unfolding around his preferences, the comedy of Chicago's baseball rivalries continues to thrive, proving once again that in the Windy City, even the papacy can be caught up in the passion of baseball fandom.
