Chicago-born Pope Leo offers wry response on whether he’s behind ‘miracle’ White Sox playoff return

Chicago-born Pope Leo offers wry response on whether he’s behind ‘miracle’ White Sox playoff return Pope Leo XIV is a lifelong Chicago White Sox fan but also knows better than to wade too deep into sporting rivalries - Bookmark Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Could divine intervention from Pope Leo XIV have played a role in the Chicago White Sox’s unexpected postseason return? “No comment,” the pontiff replied with a beaming smile when a reporter on his plane to France asked whether the surprise sprung Thursday by the long-suffering team was miraculous, and “Do you have anything to do with that?" However, the Chicago-born and raised White Sox supporter left no doubt about his excitement, adding: "Great things happen in Chicago." His diplomatic stance reflects prior lessons learned about how appearing to favor one sports team over another can cause unintended friction. In June, he declared that "the pope is for all teams" before upsetting soccer fans in Barcelona by acknowledging his personal affinity for Real Madrid, placing himself amid one of football's fiercest club rivalries. Real Madrid published video of the moment, which prompted social media comments suggesting the club was "the team of God." Exercising similar caution, the pontiff also revealed his passion for college basketball during the flight. Replying to a question, Leo predicted that "the voice of the people of God" would be rallying behind Villanova University—where he pursued mathematics in the 1970s—when his alma mater meets Notre Dame in a men’s and women’s season-opening doubleheader in Rome on Nov. 1. "They tell me that the people coming to the match, 90% are Villanova and 10% Notre Dame, so the voice of the people of God will be very strong on the Villanova side," Leo said. The Catholic institutions are marketing the event as a celebration of their mutual mission and heritage. Decades prior to becoming the first pope from the United States, Robert Prevost graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the Augustinian school located near Philadelphia. The 71-year-old pontiff's passion for sports includes tennis as well. "I consider myself quite the amateur tennis player," he acknowledged during a 2023 interview with the Augustinian Order, though the newly made cardinal noted that his church obligations afforded him little court time. As pontiff, Leo routinely spends Mondays and Tuesdays at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, located in the hills near Rome, playing tennis with his secretary, Monsignor Edgard Iván Rimaycuna Inga, along with swimming and horseback riding. During a Vatican audience last year with top-ranked tennis player Jannik Sinner, he turned down Sinner's suggestion to hit a brief volley. Surveying the surrounding antiques, the pope said, "Better not."