
People were surprised — and pretty amused — after seeing Pope Leo XIV wear something unexpected at the Vatican. But even though it caught people off guard, he ended up getting a lot of praise, especially from fans back in the U.S.
Pope Leo XIV, whose real name is Robert Prevost, became the head of the Catholic Church in early May. He’s the first American to ever be chosen for the role, and that alone has sparked a lot of attention around the world — even from people who aren’t religious or Catholic.
Born in Chicago, his background has made a lot of Americans more curious about the customs and events that come with becoming pope, including choosing a new name. But what really caught people’s attention recently was something a little more casual — and very American.

While riding through St. Peter’s Square in the popemobile, Pope Leo caught a cloth doll of himself thrown by a fan of the Chicago White Sox baseball team. But it wasn’t just the catch that stood out — it was what he was wearing.
Although he kept most of his traditional papal outfit on, he was also wearing a black and white Chicago White Sox baseball cap. This happened on June 11 while he was greeting newly married couples at the Vatican. The image of a pope wearing a baseball cap — especially one from a team with a rough recent record — was both strange and heartwarming for many people.
Social media quickly lit up. Some people joked that they’re not even Catholic but would gladly tailgate with the pope. Others laughed about how the White Sox have been playing poorly and joked that the team could use the pope on the field. One fan said, “The White Sox suck, but this goes hard.” Another added, “He’s a real one — wearing that hat after the worst season in baseball history.”
Others were just amazed that the leader of the Catholic Church was repping an American sports team so openly. One user summed it up by saying, “Seeing a pope this into American sports is wild.”
After Pope Leo’s appointment, some fans of the Chicago Cubs tried to claim him as one of their own. But his brother, John Prevost, cleared things up in an interview. He said the pope has *always* been a White Sox fan, even if their mom supported the Cubs and their dad was a Cardinals fan. He made it clear: the pope’s loyalty has always been with the Sox.
So while it might have seemed unusual at first, the moment helped show a more personal, relatable side of Pope Leo — and won him even more fans around the world.