Faith, Baseball, and the Miter: White Sox Expand Pope Leo XIV Hat Promotion

In the intersection of spiritual leadership and South Side passion, the Chicago White Sox have found a promotional goldmine. The team announced Friday that it is expanding its tribute to Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native and lifelong devotee of the franchise, by offering pope-themed hats to every fan attending the August 11 game against the Cincinnati Reds.

The promotional item—a black and green hat shaped like a pope’s miter featuring the team’s sock logo in the center—was originally intended only for fans who purchased specialty theme night tickets. However, the demand proved too great for a limited release. Brooks Boyer, the chief revenue and marketing officer for the White Sox, noted that the “fans have spoken,” leading the team to ensure all attendees have the opportunity to take a miter home.

For those who had already committed to the specialty tickets, the team confirmed they will still receive the hat along with an additional, unspecified item.

The First American Pope and a Lifelong Obsession

The man at the center of the promotion, Pope Leo XIV, was born Robert Francis Prevost on September 14, 1955, in Chicago. Growing up in the south suburb of Dolton, Prevost’s identity was forged in the rivalry and grit of Chicago baseball long before he ascended to the papacy on May 8, 2025. As the first pope born in the United States, Leo XIV has not allowed the solemnity of the Vatican to dampen his enthusiasm for the South Side.

Since becoming the head of the Catholic Church, the pontiff has been remarkably open about his fandom. He has been spotted wearing a White Sox cap at the Vatican and has maintained connections with team legends, including sending an autographed No. 14 jersey to Paul Konerko.

His loyalty also extends to the traditional Chicago cross-town rivalry. In a moment that has since become a favorite among the White Sox faithful, the pope reportedly shouted “they lost” to a Cubs fan who had yelled “Go Cubs” at him while he was at the Vatican last fall. More recently, in Rome, he was seen giving a thumbs-up to a fan who shouted, “God bless the White Sox!”

Commemorating the 2005 Glory

The bond between the current pontiff and the team is rooted in more than just childhood nostalgia; it is tied to one of the most significant moments in franchise history. Robert Prevost was in the stands for Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, watching his team defeat the Houston Astros 5-3. That victory sparked a four-game sweep and secured the White Sox’s first championship since 1917.

To honor this connection, the White Sox have integrated the pope’s history into the physical landscape of Rate Field. A graphic installation and mural now stand on the concourse near the section where he sat during the 2005 opener. The pillar artwork depicts a waving Pope Leo XIV and includes a television broadcast image of the future pope sitting with his grandson, Eddie, and close friend Ed Schmit.

The team’s celebrations of his papacy began shortly after his election. Last June, Rate Field hosted a special event and Mass to honor his rise to the papacy, marking a rare moment where the spiritual center of the Catholic world aligned with the sporting culture of Chicago.

A Season of Niche Promotions

The “Pope Hat” night is part of a broader, eclectic marketing strategy by the White Sox for the current season. The team has leaned into variety to drive attendance, scheduling several other highly specific theme nights alongside the August 11 event.

• Bravo Night (May 8 vs. Seattle Mariners): A celebration featuring “Summer House,” offering ticket packages with limited-edition tank tops and VIP meet-and-greets with stars Carl Radke and Ben Waddell.
• Gameday for the Girls (May 9 vs. Seattle Mariners): An event celebrating female fans, featuring a cap sponsored by Sportsish and a VIP pre-game event with founder Lily Shimbashi, as well as a BMO Local Business Hub highlighting women-owned businesses in Chicago.
• Emo Night (May 14): Another themed evening designed to attract a diverse demographic to Rate Field.

By expanding the Pope Leo XIV promotion, the White Sox are capitalizing on a unique global narrative: a sitting pope who is not only a former local resident but a vocal, sometimes competitive, baseball fan.

The Path to the Papacy

While his baseball fandom captures the headlines, Pope Leo XIV’s professional trajectory was one of steady ascent within the Church. Before his election in 2025, Robert Prevost served in numerous high-level roles, including:

• Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine (2001–2013)
• Bishop of Chiclayo (2015–2023)
• Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops (2023–2025)
• Cardinal Bishop of Albano (2025)

His education spans Villanova University, the Catholic Theological Union, and the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Despite this international career—which included citizenship in Peru and Vatican City—his roots in Chicago remain a central part of his public persona.

The expansion of the giveaway ensures that the celebration of the first American pope will be a stadium-wide event, blending the religious significance of the papacy with the tribal loyalty of Major League Baseball.

The next major milestone for the team’s tribute will be the August 11 game against the Reds, where the “Pope Hats” will finally craft their wide-scale debut.

Do you think the “Pope Hat” will become a collector’s item? Share your thoughts in the comments below.