Key Highlights:
- The Chicago White Sox have returned to the postseason for the first time since 2021, revitalizing talk of a standing invitation for Pope Leo XIV to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at Rate Field.
- Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost), a lifelong Chicago-area native and White Sox supporter, famously attended Game 1 of the franchise’s 2005 World Series championship run.
- Team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf received a letter from the pontiff ahead of the Wild Card Series, continuing a close bond that included a Vatican visit from former catcher A.J. Pierzynski earlier this year.
The Chicago White Sox are navigating an October run that seemed entirely out of reach just months ago. As the club works to extend its unexpected postseason journey, attention has once again turned to one of its most prominent international supporters: Pope Leo XIV. The pontiff, a devoted follower of the South Siders, has held an open invitation to visit Rate Field and throw out a ceremonial first pitch since 2025. While no official appearance has been scheduled, the team’s current playoff success has renewed speculation surrounding the potential visit.
An Open Invitation Rooted in Papal History
The formal gesture originated shortly after Robert Francis Prevost was elected bishop of Rome in May 2025. Brooks Boyer, serving as the White Sox’s head of revenue and marketing at the time, extended an open offer for Leo XIV to revisit the ballpark, take his place in the exact seat he occupied during the 2005 World Series, and throw out the first pitch. Boyer even made lighthearted remarks regarding the possibility of letting the pontiff step into the batter’s box.
The backdrop of that invitation has shifted dramatically in the months since. After enduring historic lows—losing a modern-era record 121 games in 2024 followed by 102 defeats in 2025—the White Sox secured their first postseason berth since 2021 by defeating the Kansas City Royals 9-1 in September. The remarkable turnaround did not go unnoticed at the Holy See. When questioned about whether divine intervention played a role in the club’s playoff qualification, Leo XIV responded with a smile: “No comment. Wonderful things happen in Chicago.”
Lifelong South Side Ties and Commemorations at Rate Field
The relationship between the pontiff and the baseball franchise stretches back decades before his elevation to the papacy. Growing up in the Chicago area, Robert Prevost was a dedicated White Sox enthusiast. During the 2005 postseason, then known as Father Bob, he attended Game 1 of the World Series against the Houston Astros at U.S. Cellular Field, watching Chicago earn a 5-3 victory en route to a four-game championship sweep.
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Broadcast cameras spotted him in the stands that night in Section 140, Row 19, Seat 2. The White Sox later immortalized the location by installing a commemorative plaque and graphic display marking the exact seat occupied by the future head of the Catholic Church. That connection deepened further this year through direct exchanges between the Vatican and the front office.
In June, former White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski traveled to the Vatican to present Leo XIV with the baseball from the final out of Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. The pontiff also received an authentic jersey autographed by former team captain Paul Konerko. By August, the organization mailed him one of the novelty mitre-shaped hats distributed to fans at the ballpark. Just before the start of the Wild Card Series, team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf received a personal letter from Leo XIV expressing gratitude for the organization’s outreach and emphasizing how athletic competition fosters solidarity and friendship.
Why This Matters
The resurgence of the White Sox marks one of the most dramatic single-season turnarounds in modern Major League Baseball history, following consecutive seasons of historic franchise futility. The ongoing dialogue with the Vatican adds a unique cultural dimension to the team’s playoff presence, bridging local sports heritage with global prominence. While security, logistics, and papal responsibilities present steep hurdles to an actual appearance on the mound at Rate Field, the sustained contact between the front office and the Vatican keeps alive a rare intersection between Major League Baseball and the papacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Pope Leo XIV attend the 2005 World Series?
Yes. Robert Francis Prevost attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series between the Chicago White Sox and the Houston Astros, seated in Section 140, Row 19, Seat 2. The franchise has since marked the seat with a commemorative plaque and display.
Is Pope Leo XIV officially scheduled to throw out a first pitch?
There is currently no official confirmation that Pope Leo XIV will attend a game or throw out a ceremonial pitch. However, the open invitation extended by the White Sox front office in 2025 remains active as the club contends in the postseason.
How did the White Sox qualify for the postseason?
The White Sox clinched their 2025 playoff berth—their first since 2021—by defeating the Kansas City Royals 9-1 in September, rebounding from back-to-back 100-plus loss campaigns in 2024 and 2025.
