Is Pope Leo XIV a Cubs or White Sox fan? His brother weighs in

Tony Crumpton - Senior Editor - Friday, May 09 2025

A holy hometown rivalry may be brewing.

Ever since the election of Pope Leo XIV—a Chicago native who attended Villanova—fans and media have speculated about his baseball allegiance.

Early reports claimed he was a Cubs fan. But now, the Pope’s brother is setting the record straight.

“Whoever said Cubs on the radio got it wrong. It's Sox,” his brother Prevost, told NBC 5 Chicago.

The Chicago White Sox were quick to respond with a statement.

“Family always knows best, and it sounds like Pope Leo XIV’s lifelong fandom falls a little closer to 35th and Shields,” the team said in a statement. “Some things are bigger than baseball, but in this case, we’re glad to have a White Sox fan represented at the Vatican. A pinstripe White Sox jersey with his name on it and a hat is already on the way to Rome, and of course, the Pontiff is always welcome at his ballpark.”

While the Vatican has not officially commented on the matter, the story has added a hometown twist.