Pope Leo Gets His Own White Sox 'Pope Hat' from Chicago

The White Sox just scored points with their most high-profile fan. Pope Leo XIV received a custom Sox "pope hat" and jersey at the Vatican this week, delivered by a close friend from his Chicago days.

The gift came courtesy of Rev. Tom McCarthy, who met with Leo to present a box from the team. Inside was a premium version of the playful hat distributed to 40,000 fans at a sold-out game earlier this month, plus a jersey, signed baseball card, and letter from owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

The pope's reaction? He loved it, though he quipped, "Too bad we didn't win the game." The Sox lost 5-4 to the Reds that night, but they're still holding first place in their division.

Leo, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, grew up in south suburban Dolton. He taught at local Catholic schools and served with the Beverly-based Midwest Augustinians before his historic rise to become the first American pope in May 2025. McCarthy now holds the same position Leo once did with the Augustinians.

The "pope hat" game itself became something bigger than baseball. During the fifth inning, 40,000 people participated in the Catholic "Sign of Peace," a Mass tradition where congregants greet and shake hands with neighbors. Catholics and non-Catholics alike joined in.

"Forty-thousand-plus people were giving the Sign of Peace, Catholic, non-Catholic, it didn't matter. It was beautiful," McCarthy told Leo during their meeting.

The Ripple Effect

The playful celebration is having serious impact. McCarthy reported seeing churches across the country experience increased attendance and conversions since Leo became pope. People are saying "I'm going to give this another try" when it comes to faith.

"What he has said about the power of sports and building community, I think he is doing that," McCarthy said. The White Sox game raised $14,000 for the Midwest Augustinians and brought together a diverse crowd in shared joy.

Leo still follows the Sox from Vatican City despite the seven-hour time difference. A photo of him holding the hat has been viewed over 700,000 times on social media.

McCarthy says Leo will definitely return to Chicago, following in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II's 1979 visit. It's not a question of if, but when.