As an avid White Sox supporter, Robert Prevost -- aka Pope Leo XIV -- was a fan of Paul Konerko, the star first baseman who was a key part of the South Siders’ 2005 World Series run.
Apparently, the feeling is mutual.
Last July, Konerko signed a pinstriped White Sox home jersey to send to Pope Leo, the first pope to be born in the United States -- in this case, on Chicago’s South Side. The two even share a number of sorts: Konerko wore No. 14 during his 16-year White Sox tenure, while Prevost is the 14th pope to choose the papal name Leo.
It took a while, but Konerko’s gift eventually made it to the Vatican, with Pope Leo holding up the signed jersey from a star of his longtime favorite team.
The pope’s connection to the White Sox is a strong one: He was captured on the FOX broadcast during Game 1 of the World Series in 2005, part of Chicago’s four-game sweep of the Astros. He also donned a White Sox hat at the Vatican in June 2025, and the club will be giving away pope-themed hats during its Aug. 11 game against the Reds.