Divine intervention? Pope Leo blesses White Sox ahead of playoffs

The Chicago White Sox, looking for every bit of divine intervention that they can get heading into the postseason, got a letter of support from Pope Leo XIV prior to Tuesday's playoff opener against the Houston Astros.

"As I have noted, 'sport can truly become a school of life, where all can learn that abundance does not come from victory at any cost, but from sharing, from respecting others and from the joy of walking together," the pontiff wrote to White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.

"In this spirit, it is my hope that the White Sox will continue to foster bonds of friendship and solidarity among people, and thus bear hopeful witness to the possibility of living and working together in peace.

"With these sentiments, I willingly invoke the Almighty's abundant blessings upon you and your loved ones."

The letter, which was dated Sept. 9, was a response to the team's promotion on Aug. 11. For that game, fans received hats shaped like the Pope's miter with the White Sox logo in the middle.

The pope was given one of the miters by South Side native Father Tom McCarthy in August.

"I am most grateful for this thoughtful gesture," Pope Leo XIV wrote to Reinsdorf.

Pope Leo XIV is a Chicago native and longtime White Sox fan. He attended the 2005 World Series opener against Houston in Chicago, watching from Section 140, Row 19, Seat 2 as his favorite team beat the Astros 5-3 on the way to a four-game sweep and its first title since 1917.

He broke Vatican protocol in 2025 by donning a White Sox cap. In March, he gave a thumbs up to someone who yelled "God bless the White Sox!"

In May 2025, the White Sox unveiled a graphic installation near the seat paying tribute to Pope Leo and that moment. The pillar artwork features a waving Pope Leo XIV, along with a picture from the TV broadcast of the future pope sitting with good friend Ed Schmit and his grandson, Eddie.

In June 2025, Rate Field hosted an event honoring his election as the first American pope. A month later, at a pregame ceremony honoring the 2005 team, White Sox great Paul Konerko was presented a jersey signed by the pope, a gift from one No. 14 to another.

Last October, he shouted "they lost" to someone who screamed, "Go Cubs!"