The White Sox are paying homage to their most famous fan during an August giveaway.
Chicago’s American League team will give fans who purchase special tickets to their Aug. 11 game against the Reds a White Sox-themed pope hat in honor of Chicago native and White Sox fan, Pope Leo XIV.
Fans looking to land one of the black and green hats with a White Sox logo in the middle will need to purchase a ticket in one of five designated sections at Rate Field, otherwise they’ll need to say a prayer to get their hands on one.
Born Robert Prevost, Leo was elected head of the Catholic Church last year to become the first American-born pope.
Pope Leo XIV (C) reacts wearing a Chicago White Sox baseball team cap as he meets newly wedded couples during the weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on June 11, 2025. AFP via Getty Images He is an avid sports fan, and his White Sox support even became a mini-controversy as both Chicago baseball teams attempted to claim his support after his election.
“He was never, ever a Cubs fan, so I don’t know where that came from. He was always a Sox fan. Our mother was a Cubs fan,” his brother John told WGN-TV in May 2025.
Leo attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series (which featured the White Sox) and has been open about his support for the team during his papacy.
He wore a White Sox cap at the Vatican last summer and playfully ribbed a Cubs fan by yelling “they lost” when a Cubs fan yelled “Go Cubs” at him.
And just last month, a fan who yelled “God bless the White Sox” while he drove by received a thumbs-up from Leo.
While the pope has kept the faith in his White Sox, they’ve struggled out of the gate this season.
A fan dressed as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field. Matt Marton-Imagn Images The White Sox opened the season with three straight losses and lost five of their first six games.
The club fell Wednesday, getting swept in three games by the Orioles.
