As he gets settled into his news digs at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV looks like he’d still fit right in with a brat in hand in the left field bleachers at Sox Park.
The Dolton native and confirmed Sox fan formerly known as Robert Prevost couldn’t help but get caught up in a White Sox chant earlier this week as he rode through Vatican City in the popemobile.
On a 15-second clip originally posted to TikTok Wednesday by user jacobusch.clan, a crew of overseas fans start a “White Sox! White Sox!” chant and try to coax Leo into it as he smiles and waves his way through a crowd of supporters.
The new pontiff’s stately demeanor gives way to a South Side celebration for just a few seconds as he picks up on their refrain, waving in rhythm and throwing in a few chants of his own.
Getting a White Sox chant going with the pope has to be an incredible feeling pic.twitter.com/BhNG0bsiAn
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) June 18, 2025
It’s just the latest proof of his true Chicago baseball loyalty, which was falsely claimed out of the gate by the Cubs after white smoke heralded Leo’s election as pontiff on May 8.
His brother, John Prevost, swiftly corrected the record, and broadcast footage soon emerged of the future pope in the stands at Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. And last week, Leo donned a Sox hat that was gifted to him by a follower in St. Peter’s Square
The White Sox’ most famous fan hasn’t talked publicly about his fandom beyond his symbolic support — or offered his thoughts on the rebuild — but it’s a trip for the players he’s watching.
“I had friends blowing up my phone with that video,” starter Davis Martin said before the Sox lost the top half of Thursday’s doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4. “They’re like, ‘You live in a world where the pope could know about Davis Martin’s kick-change,’ and I started dying laughing. It’s truly a crazy thought.”
But maybe not that crazy for a fan who was able to get his hands on World Series tickets.
“Those aren’t cheap, so I’m sure he’s pretty locked in on the White Sox,” Martin said.
Last month, the team unveiled a mural of the pope near his World Series seats in Section 140, and some 30,000 of the South Side faithful celebrated Mass last weekend at Rate Field in an event that featured a video address from Leo.
Divine intervention hasn’t done all that much to improve the Sox’ performance on the field. Since Leo’s introduction to the world, the team has gone 13-24, a marginal improvement from a brutal first month of the season.
Vinny on the mound
The White Sox claimed journeyman infielder Vinny Capra off waivers last month to provide some depth as a utility man, but he has unexpectedly found himself bailing out the pitching staff, too.
Manager Will Venable called in Capra for mop-up duty in Tuesday’s 12-2 blowout loss, when he served up a two-run homer to Cards outfielder Victor Scott II.
That ballooned Capra’s ERA to 9.00 after a clean inning in the Tigers’ 13-1 drubbing of the Sox earlier this month, his first-ever relief appearance in the pros.
Capra — already just the fifth position player in Sox history with multiple pitching appearances in a season — hasn’t been on the bump regularly since Little League.
“And it’s best to keep it that way,” he joked. “Never a fun day for the team if you see me going out there.”
Coming and going
Veteran Adrian Houser, who has impressed with a 2.15 ERA in five starts since the Sox picked up the free agent last month, was placed on the paternity list. He’s expected to return to start Sunday at Toronto. Left-handed pitcher Tyler Gilbert was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte to take his place till then.
The Sox called up reliever Owen White as the 27th man for the doubleheader.