The Chicago White Sox celebrated their holiest of fans Tuesday night, handing out pope hats to attendees of their game against the Cincinnati Reds to honor Pope Leo XIV.
The team has not shied away from the connection since it was revealed the Pope was a White Sox fan following his elevation to the highest seat in the Catholic Church in 2025.
Born and raised in Chicago, Robert Francis Prevost made his allegiance known shortly after becoming pontiff. Archived broadcast footage revealed he attended Game
1 of the 2005 World Series. The White Sox, sensing a marketing opportunity, created the pope hat promotion for fans who paid extra for a voucher.
Yet the team was surprised by the positive response. Originally expecting to sell about 2,500 vouchers, strong interest caused team management to turn the promotion into a giveaway for everyone with a ticket -- more than 40,000 in all. To reward the fans who bought the hat voucher, they handed out white Southside jerseys with CHICAGO'S POPE and the number 14 on the back.
"We couldn't remember anything where we had to put it to 40,000," White Sox marketing chief Brooks Boyer said early Tuesday to a crowd of reporters. "I know I've certainly never sat in this seat to talk about a promo item before. So, this has obviously got to be a pretty good one."
Excitement over the team no doubt helped. The White Sox, fresh off two straight last-place finishes, are currently in first place in the AL Central and on pace to make their first playoff appearance since 2021.
"I'm very excited about 'Pope Night,'" manager Will Venable said. "Anytime we get to celebrate the pope and his fandom of the White Sox is something we'll lean into. Hopefully it gives us some good favor."
Early results suggested that to be the case. Brenton Doyle hit Reds starter Nick Lodolo's first pitch of the night for his first home run in a White Sox uniform. Edgar Quero added a solo homer in the second and Miguel Vargas authored another in the fourth as the Sox built a 4-0 lead through four innings.
--Field Level Media
