The post Pope Leo XIV jokes with Cubs fan: “They lost” appeared first on Sox On 35th.
The Pope continued to show his South Side allegiance during an appearance on Wednesday.
Vatican Media livestreamed Pope Leo XIV’s general audience from St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday and captured a moment when a person in the crowd shouted, “Go Cubs!” The Pontiff wasted no time, playfully responding with, “Han perdido!” in Spanish. “They lost!”
The Cubs fan, Matthew Carbone, shared his point of view from the lighthearted interaction shortly after on X.
Pope Leo XIV, born as Robert Francis Prevost, was named the first American Pope of the Catholic Church on Thursday, May 8. Born in Chicago’s Mercy Hospital and raised in nearby Dolton, he has undoubtedly become one of Chicago’s most famous natives since his elevation to the papacy. Just hours after his election, Prevost’s brother, John, also settled an important debate about where his baseball fandom lies.
“He was never, ever a Cubs fan. So I don’t know where that came from. He was always a Sox fan,” John Prevost said in an interview with WGN. “Our mother was a Cubs fan. I don’t know, maybe that clued in there, and our dad was a Cardinals fan, so I don’t know where that all came from. And all the aunts in our mom’s family were from the north side, so that’s why they were Cubs fans.”
Thanks to a photo published by the Chicago Sun-Times, fans got their first glimpse of Pope Leo XIV at Game 1 of the 2005 World Series dressed in White Sox gear. Less than a day later, our team at Sox On 35th uncovered a viral video that briefly showed the Pope on the FOX broadcast before Bobby Jenks secured the 5-3 victory.
Eddie Schmit, the young fan shown next to Pope Leo XIV, was just five years old at the time. In an interview with Sox on 35th, the now 25-year-old recalled his family’s special relationship with the Pope, his memory from the game they all attended together, and the surprise when he rolled back the tape from Game 1.
“I remember a buddy of mine a few years ago found that clip, and he’s like, ‘Dude, you and your dad are on TV at the World Series,’” Eddie recalled. “I’m like, ‘No s–t. I didn’t even know this.’
“So, when all this transpired, I kind of was like, ‘Wow, what if [Pope Leo XIV] is the one standing next to me at the game?’ I didn’t really think about it because I didn’t really know him like that. I was only five years old, and then sure enough, he was standing right next to me and, you know, that seat … we still have those exact same seats. They’re different now than they were in the World Series. I think that they were the blue seats back then. But he was still sitting right there, same section, same row, everything.”
The White Sox have since leaned into their unexpected connection with one of the most influential people in the world, celebrating with a pillar artwork at Rate Field outside of the section where Pope Leo XIV sat, a special plaque on his exact seat from the World Series, and a Mass to honor the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
“He has an open invite to throw out a first pitch,” White Sox executive vice president Brooks Boyer playfully told the media at the installation’s unveiling. “Heck, maybe we’ll let him get an at-bat.”
Pope Leo XIV has also been seen wearing a hat and joining the crowd in a “White Sox” chant. As the Chicago native continues to make everyone on the South Side proud, we’ll continue to keep an eye on the Vatican for any futher updates.
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Featured Photo: Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP
The post Pope Leo XIV jokes with Cubs fan: “They lost” appeared first on Sox On 35th.