Pope Leo XIV Receives Custom White Sox Mitre After Vatican Meeting

Key points

• Rev. Tom McCarthy presented Pope Leo XIV with a gift box from the White Sox on August 26, 2026.
• The package included a premium 'pope hat' with a sewn-on logo, a jersey, a signed baseball card, and a letter from owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
• The gesture followed an August 11 game where 40,000 fans received basic versions of the hat at Rate Field.
• Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago, is a known White Sox fan who attended the 2005 World Series.
• The White Sox lost the August 11 game 5-4 to the Cincinnati Reds but remain first in the AL Central.

Background

In early August 2026, the Chicago White Sox hosted a 'Pope Hat Night' at Rate Field to honor Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope. Born Robert Francis Prevost in Bronzeville and raised on the South Side, Leo has long ties to the city, including serving as prior provincial of the Midwest Augustinians in the 1990s. The August 11 event featured Catholic rituals, such as a fifth-inning Sign of Peace, and a $14,000 donation to the Midwest Augustinians. Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the White Sox lost to the Cincinnati Reds 5-4.

How outlets are covering it

Block Club Chicago emphasizes the personal connection between the pope and the church, noting that McCarthy discussed Leo's positive impact on Catholic communities in the US. The outlet highlights that Leo enjoys watching games despite the time difference. Bleacher Report focuses on the visual confirmation of the gift, noting the photo of Leo holding the hat has been viewed over 700,000 times on social media. Both sources agree on the core facts but differ in emphasis: Block Club frames the event as a community-building moment, while Bleacher Report treats it as a notable sports-culture crossover.

Why it matters

This interaction highlights the cultural bridge between the Catholic Church and Chicago sports, leveraging the pope's local roots to promote community engagement. It also underscores the White Sox' efforts to connect with local religious institutions, potentially boosting attendance and community support despite recent losses.

What to watch

Rev. Tom McCarthy indicated that Pope Leo XIV will return to Chicago, though no specific date has been announced. The White Sox will continue their season, aiming to maintain their first-place position in the American League Central Division.