When Robert Francis Provost, now Pope Leo XIV, was appointed as the first American pope, one pressing question captured the attention of Chicago residents: Cubs or Sox?

Raised in a household with differing allegiances—his mother a Cubs fan and his father a St. Louis Cardinals supporter—the young pope made his own decision early on. According to his brother, John, Pope Leo XIV was never a Cubs fan. Instead, he was a lifelong supporter of the Chicago White Sox, a fact that stirred discussion on social media, especially when both Chicago baseball teams publicly acknowledged their connection to the newly elected pontiff.

Following his appointment, the Cubs quickly shared a tribute, invoking the famous words of broadcaster Harry Caray, “The good Lord desires the Cubs to triumph!” But the White Sox soon responded, sending a jersey and cap to the Vatican, acknowledging Pope Leo XIV’s loyalty to the South Side.

Pope Leo XIV’s roots in Chicago are deep, having grown up in the Dolton suburb and attended mass at St. Mary of the Assumption. Despite his international work, particularly in Peru, he’s remained a strong supporter of his hometown teams. As a fan of sports, he also enjoys tennis, though his papal duties have limited his time on the court.