Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, is stirring a lighthearted Chicago sports rivalry after Wrigley Field claimed he’s a Cubs fan – despite his brother insisting he’s loyal to the White Sox.
The new Pope, Robert Prevost, grew up in Dolton on the city’s South Side, where his family’s sports loyalties were split between the Cubs, Sox, and Cardinals.
His election has sparked buzz not only for his hometown ties, but also for his alma mater, Villanova University, which led Knicks fans like Spike Lee to joke about divine intervention in the NBA playoffs.
Unlike his predecessor Pope Francis, Leo is seen as more centrist, though he supports greater dialogue on global LGBTQ+ issues and upholding migrant dignity.
With dual U.S.-Peru citizenship, Pope Leo inherits a global Church amid deep social divisions and has pledged a continued focus on peace, climate action, and unity.