By Salem Chicago News Staff
CHICAGO — September 26, 2026
Pope Leo XIV weighed in on the White Sox’s postseason clinch Friday, adding a papal exclamation point to a celebration that has captured national attention.
The pontiff, born Robert Prevost and raised in Chicago, was asked about his favorite team’s success as the White Sox continued celebrating their first playoff berth since 2021. Pope Leo attended two games of the 2005 World Series, when the White Sox swept the Houston Astros for the championship.
His comments drew wide attention and added to the cultural spectacle surrounding the team’s remarkable turnaround from a Modern Era record 121 losses in 2024 to playoff contention in 2026.
The White Sox leaned into the connection earlier this season with a Pope Hat giveaway promotion at Rate Field.
“This is the best place for me, especially during the summer. Chicago is the best place,” White Sox manager Will Venable said Friday. “To have two teams that are really good at baseball in the middle of everything and a beautiful city with the fans and how passionate they are about the game, it’s really special.”
Former President Barack Obama also offered congratulations via social media, celebrating both Chicago baseball teams. The Cubs clinched their postseason spot three minutes after the White Sox on Thursday, marking the fourth time both franchises have qualified for the playoffs in the same season.
“You look back at the series that we do have, the crosstown series, and we’ve got a feisty bunch, they’ve got a feisty bunch,” general manager Chris Getz said. “That would be pretty remarkable and a lot of fun.”
The confluence of a pope with South Side roots, a former president’s endorsement and dual Chicago playoff runs has generated buzz about a potential all-Chicago World Series.
The White Sox trail the Cleveland Guardians by one game in the AL Central with three games remaining and hold the tiebreaker between the clubs. The Wild Card Series begins Sept. 29.
