Cubs and White Sox battle over Pope Leo XIV's fandom; Southsiders may have upper hand

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Pope Leo XIV is keeping his sports rooting interest close to his vest, but the two teams in his hometown seem to have already made up their minds.

Robert Prevost was elected to take up the papal seat on Thursday, the second day of the papal conclave’s deliberations. He is the first American pope.

The new pope will turn 70 this year on Sept. 14 and is a Chicago native who attended Villanova - much to the pleasure of New York Knicks fans, as their biggest stars are former Wildcats.

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A general view of the Jumbotron prior to a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago White Sox at Wrigley Field. (Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports)

So, Pope Leo XIV's college rooting interest needs no questioning. It is also safe to assume he may root for the Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks.

However, the city of Chicago has two MLB teams: the Cubs and the White Sox. So, it remains to be seen where his true rooting interest lies.

However, both teams have made the bold claim that he is a fan of them.

A Chicago priest said the pope is a Cubs fan, but his own brother said otherwise, according to the video the Sox posted.

An apparent photo has also been unearthed of the pope attending the 2005 World Series between the White Sox and Houston Astros.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States, appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on May 8, 2025. (REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane)

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Leo XIV was first brought to the Vatican by Pope Francis to serve as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in January 2023, which