Sun May 11 02:10:00 UTC 2025: ## American Sports Fan Elected Pope: Leo XIV’s White Sox and Knicks Allegiances Revealed

VATICAN CITY – The world’s newest pontiff, Pope Leo XIV (formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost), is making headlines not just for his religious leadership but also for his surprising American sports fandom. The first US-born Pope’s love for the Chicago White Sox has come to light, with footage surfacing of him attending Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. Video from the MLB on FOX broadcast shows Prevost at U.S. Cellular Field during the White Sox’s clinching victory over the Houston Astros.

Prevost’s brother confirmed his lifelong White Sox fandom. However, the Pope’s sporting allegiances extend beyond baseball. A friend and chaplain at his alma mater, Villanova University, revealed Prevost’s enthusiasm for the New York Knicks, particularly those players with Villanova ties.

Before his election, Prevost held significant positions within the Catholic Church. Appointed by Pope Francis as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023 – a crucial role overseeing bishop nominations worldwide – he was later elevated to Cardinal. He is known for aligning closely with Francis’s teachings on environmental issues, outreach to the poor and migrants, and inclusivity within the Church. Prevost also held Peruvian citizenship and served in the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference before his move to the Vatican. His path to the papacy has been one of rising prominence within the Church.

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