Pope Leo loves sports: These are the teams he roots for

As the world welcomed its first American pope, one burning question had Chicagoans buzzing: Cubs or Sox?

Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, grew up in a house divided. Born in Bronzeville and raised in the south suburbs, his mother was a devout Cubs fan from Chicago’s North Side. His father? A St. Louis Cardinals loyalist.

But according to his brother, John Prevost, the new pontiff made his own choice early on — and it wasn’t the Cubs.

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

Pope Leo XIV has two brothers, Louis and John. Louis, a military veteran, lives in Florida, while John — who just settled the debate about the Pope’s baseball loyalties — previously served as a Catholic school principal.

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So, while the pontiff now leads 1.4 billion Catholics around the world, it’s clear his allegiance on the diamond has always been crystal clear.

He’s a South Sider at heart.

The revelation about Pope Leo’s favorite team sent shockwaves through social media, especially after the Chicago Cubs quickly tried to claim the newly elected pope as one of their own.

Within hours of his historic appointment, the team posted a tribute online, referencing the legendary call from broadcaster Harry Caray: “The good Lord wants the Cubs to win!”

“Family always knows best”

But the South Side had the last laugh.

The White Sox wasted no time embracing their holy connection, sending a team jersey and cap directly to the Vatican.

“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.”

Sports loyalties

Pope Leo spent his early years in the suburb of Dolton and regularly attended mass at St. Mary of the Assumption, located on the city’s Far Southeast Side, according to the Sun-Times.

At a press conference held Thursday, Sister Barbara Reid, president of the Catholic Theological Union where Prevost once studied, praised 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.”

But even though Pope Leo has spent much of his adult life serving the Church abroad, particularly in Peru, he’s never lost touch with his Windy City roots — or his sports loyalties.

Pope’s favorite soccer team

A 1977 graduate of Villanova University, Pope Leo has long held a passion for sports. Before rising to the papacy, Robert Prevost showed his South Side loyalty by attending the 2005 World Series at Guaranteed Rate Field to cheer on the Chicago White Sox.

Beyond baseball, Prevost has a passion for tennis, calling himself a casual player.

In a 2023 interview, he even admitted to being an amateur tennis enthusiast. “Since leaving Peru I have had few occasions to practice, so I am looking forward to getting back on the court,” he said. “Not that this new job has left me much free time for it so far.”

Pope Leo is also a longtime supporter of Alianza Lima, a popular soccer club in Peru, according to reports.