In a city divided by baseball teams, the pope's brother confirms his steadfast support for the Chicago White Sox over the Cubs.
Papal Baseball Allegiances: Who Does the Pope Really Support?
Papal Baseball Allegiances: Who Does the Pope Really Support?
An exploration of the Chicago pope's baseball loyalties reveals surprising truths.
May 8, 2025, 7:25 p.m. ET
In Chicago, a city marked by its intense baseball rivalries, questions about the newly appointed pope's allegiance to either the Cubs or the White Sox have captured public interest. With Wrigley Field located on the North Side and Guaranteed Rate Field situated on the South Side, the divisions among fans are significant. While initial reactions suggested that the new pontiff could be adopted by both sides, a statement from the Cubs indicated their eagerness to embrace him at their stadium.
Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts extended an invitation for the new pope to join the ranks of past papal visitors at baseball games, suggesting he could participate in the classic seventh-inning tradition of singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." As excitement grew, Wrigley Field even updated its marquee to assert the pope's supposed Cub fandom.
However, the narrative took a turn when the pope's brother, John Prevost, intervened to clarify the situation during an interview with WGN. "He was never, ever a Cubs fan," Prevost firmly stated. "So I don’t know where that came from. He was always a Sox fan." The assertion settled the debate and secured the pope’s loyalty to the White Sox, reminding fans and supporters of the deep-rooted local rivalries in the Windy City.
Julie Bosman, the Chicago bureau chief, provides local insights about this unexpected development within the fabric of Chicago sports culture.
In Chicago, a city marked by its intense baseball rivalries, questions about the newly appointed pope's allegiance to either the Cubs or the White Sox have captured public interest. With Wrigley Field located on the North Side and Guaranteed Rate Field situated on the South Side, the divisions among fans are significant. While initial reactions suggested that the new pontiff could be adopted by both sides, a statement from the Cubs indicated their eagerness to embrace him at their stadium.
Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts extended an invitation for the new pope to join the ranks of past papal visitors at baseball games, suggesting he could participate in the classic seventh-inning tradition of singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." As excitement grew, Wrigley Field even updated its marquee to assert the pope's supposed Cub fandom.
However, the narrative took a turn when the pope's brother, John Prevost, intervened to clarify the situation during an interview with WGN. "He was never, ever a Cubs fan," Prevost firmly stated. "So I don’t know where that came from. He was always a Sox fan." The assertion settled the debate and secured the pope’s loyalty to the White Sox, reminding fans and supporters of the deep-rooted local rivalries in the Windy City.
Julie Bosman, the Chicago bureau chief, provides local insights about this unexpected development within the fabric of Chicago sports culture.
