The Chicago White Sox find themselves in a tough spot this season, sitting at the bottom of the American League Central with a record of 14-30. After a grueling 121-loss campaign last year, the challenges on the Southside have continued to mount. But in a twist worthy of a Hollywood script, a new development from Vatican City might just provide a spark of hope for this beleaguered franchise.
White Sox GM Chris Getz has made an intriguing connection between the team’s recent play and the excitement surrounding Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected pontiff. “It’s been exciting, obviously, to have someone of that significance be a White Sox fan,” Getz remarked, emphasizing that since the Pope’s election, the team has seen a glimmer of success with a recent uptick in wins. “Since he’s been announced to become the Pope, the White Sox have tacked on some wins. So perhaps a higher power is on our side.”
Indeed, since Pope Leo XIV took office on May 8, the White Sox have managed to turn things around just slightly, currently sporting a more respectable 4-3 record over that span. While they’ve only improved from a dismal 10-28 to their current standing, there’s no denying the positive change in momentum, albeit they still trail the Tigers by 15 games in the division.
Fandom and fun have intertwined in Chicago as the news of the Pope’s allegiance has brought a light-hearted spin to the season. Fans have donned Pope costumes, and merchandise celebrating the pontiff has made waves as sports fans revel in the novelty of having the first American pope. The nostalgia runs deep as clips from the 2005 World Series, when the White Sox last raised the trophy, have resurfaced on social media. One particularly notable clip even shows Leo in the stands, a reminder of better days in the Windy City.
It’s worth noting that there was initially some confusion about the Pope’s loyalties, with the Cubs even declaring him a fan on the Wrigley Field marquee shortly after his election. However, a confirming statement from his brother put any doubt to rest: the pontiff’s support lies with the White Sox. One can only hope that as the team looks to build on this newfound momentum, perhaps even a few divine interventions could be in play from the Vatican as they strive to claw their way back into contention this season.
