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The moment sports fans found out there was a new American Pope and he had been born in Chicago, every American sports fan had one thought: was he a Cubs or White Sox fan?
Soon news surfaced that he was a White Sox fan—though not without a false report that he was a Cubs fan—and soon after, footage surfaced that not only was newly-christened Pope Leo XIV a fan, he had been in the stands for the 2005 World Series, which the White Sox won in a series sweep.
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Justin Ishbia, Ambassador Brian Burch and Clay Travis with an autographed World Series 2005 jersey signed by all the players on the left as Pope Leo XIV is seen on the right. (OutKick; Reuters)
Pope Leo, born Robert Prevost, was elected Pope in May 2025, and a month later it was announced that my Vanderbilt friend and classmate Justin Ishbia was buying the Chicago White Sox.
The two of us were talking about fun ways Justin could introduce himself to Chicago sports fans, and I floated an idea—we should travel to the Vatican and invite Pope Leo to throw out the first pitch at a planned new White Sox stadium.
After all, Pope Leo was a big enough White Sox fan that he had attended the World Series 20 years ago as a fan in the crowd. Sure, he’s the Pope now, but deep down, like the rest of us, he’s a die-hard sports fan.
We were both convinced that the idea was good, but it presented a challenge: How do you get a meeting with the Pope to invite him to throw the first pitch?
Pope Leo XIV waves to the faithful ahead of his inauguration Mass in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, May 18, 2025. (David Ramos/Getty Images)
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An invitation to the Pope
It’s not like you can just call the Vatican and ask to speak to the Pope’s people.
Ultimately, we hit on our answer: Vatican Ambassador Brian Burch, who lived in Chicago with his family before his confirmation as ambassador.
Fortunately, Ambassador Burch loved the idea, and this morning in Vatican City, Justin and his wife Kristen met the Pope, delivered a team autographed 2005 White Sox World Series replica jersey, and delivered the first pitch invitation to Pope Leo, who said yes, as long as his schedule allows. (It turns out the Pope is a bit busy).
So the result, which many of you have probably already seen on social media, is amazing — the first ever American-born pope will throw out the first pitch at a new Chicago White Sox stadium, potentially marking the first time the pope has visited Chicago since 1979.
Pope Leo XIV prays over members of the international media in Paul VI Hall in the Vatican on May 12, 2025. (Domenico Stinellis)
Let’s hope it’s a strike.
And that Pope Leo can help give White Sox fans back the magic of the 2005 season.
