Pope Leo XIV made history on May 8 when he was elected as the first American pope in history. Born on Chicago’s South Side as Robert Prevost, the newly elected pope spent many of his working years living abroad. Despite spending years in Peru and later Italy, he still has a favorite baseball team. His brother, John Prevost, set the record straight regarding the pope’s MLB affiliation. He wants the world to know his younger brother is a Chicago White Sox fan, not one of the Cubbies who inhabit the neighborhoods around the North Side of the iconic city.  

Pope Leo XIV is a Chicago White Sox fan

Robert Prevost wasn’t a “favorite” to be named the next pope, at least not as far as media coverage went. Several other cardinals were theorized to be favorites for the role in the days following Pope Francis’ death. Still, the American-born Prevost was mentioned. Still, his baseball affiliation wasn’t known until after he appeared on the balcony as Pope Leo XIV.

Shortly after his election, his brother, John Prevost, spoke with a local news affiliate and set the record straight. He said his baby brother, the youngest of three, has always been a fan of the Chicago White Sox because they grew up on the city’s South Side. He did reveal that they grew up in a house divided, with their mother rooting for the Cubs and their father keeping track of the St. Louis Cardinals. Pope Leo XIV has one other brother; he appears to live in Florida.

The Chicago Cubs lead, while the White Sox struggle to right the ship

While some Cubs fans might be bummed to learn they don’t have a papal supporter, several quipped that they were okay with the pontiff’s affinity for the Chicago White Sox. Several social media fans noted the beleaguered team could use all the help it could get.

While the Chicago Cubs are off to a strong start to the 2025 season, their South Side counterparts are not. The Cubs are sporting a winning record, leading the National League’s Central Division by three games. The Chicago White Sox, on the other hand, have amassed just 10 wins this season. They’ve lost 28 games and dropped seven of their last 10. They are in last place in the American League’s Central Division. While the season is still young, it will take more than a few prayers to turn the season around, even if those prayers come from the pope.