During a recent Vatican parade, lifelong Chicago White Sox fan Pope Leo XIV couldn’t resist a playful jab at a Chicago Cubs supporter, shouting “Han perdido! They lost!” after the Cubs’ postseason exit, delighting White Sox faithful and igniting the cross-town rivalry.
The global leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, recently reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the Chicago White Sox in a moment that quickly went viral, sending ripples of laughter and lighthearted debate across the baseball world. During a Wednesday appearance at the Vatican, as the Popemobile moved through a cheering crowd, a bold fan called out, “Go Cubs!” The Pope’s response, delivered with a chuckle and in two languages—”Han perdido! They lost!”—left no room for misinterpretation of his true Chicago baseball allegiance.
This playful jab came just days after the Cubs were eliminated from MLB postseason contention, falling to the Milwaukee Brewers in a tightly contested series. For fans of Chicago baseball, particularly those on the South Side, the Pope’s response was a rallying cry, a moment of unexpected camaraderie with the highest office in the Church.
An Unwavering South Side Story: Pope Leo XIV’s White Sox Fandom
For those unfamiliar with the pontiff’s sports preferences, Pope Leo XIV (born Robert Francis Prevost) has a well-documented history as a devoted White Sox fan. His status as the first Pope from the United States immediately sparked curiosity about his Chicago roots and baseball loyalties. While some initially claimed he was a Cubs supporter, his brother, John Prevost, quickly set the record straight during an interview with NBC Chicago, emphatically stating, “Whoever said Cubs on the radio got it wrong. It’s Sox.”
The evidence of his allegiance extends beyond family testimony. Pope Leo XIV was seen attending a White Sox World Series game in 2005 against the Houston Astros. The team itself has embraced his fandom, creating a graphic installation at Rate Field (their home stadium) highlighting where he sat during the 2005 game and even releasing a “Pope Leo 14” jersey. In June, he was photographed at the Vatican sporting a White Sox cap while wearing his white cassock, a clear visual declaration of his loyalty.
The Cubs’ Postseason Run and Bitter End
The 2025 season saw the Chicago Cubs make their first postseason appearance since 2020, a source of significant excitement for their fanbase. They finished the regular season with a respectable 92 wins, a much stronger performance than their cross-town rivals, the White Sox, who struggled with a 60-102 record. The Cubs navigated the National League Wild Card Series, triumphing over the San Diego Padres.
However, their journey was cut short in the National League Division Series (NLDS), where they faced the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite battling back in the series when it returned to Chicago, the Cubs ultimately suffered a 3-2 series loss in Game 5 in Milwaukee, ending their hopes of advancing to the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This marked the Brewers’ first postseason series win since 2018, according to Yahoo Sports.
Kyle Tucker’s Emotional Farewell and Free Agency Speculation
Amidst the Cubs’ playoff exit and the Pope’s viral moment, another development left Cubs fans concerned: an emotional note from star player Kyle Tucker. Traded to the Cubs earlier in the year despite interest from teams like the New York Yankees, Tucker was a top performer for the team, batting .266 with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs in 136 regular-season games. In the postseason, he went 7-for-27 with one home run.
Tucker took to his Instagram account to thank Cubs fans for their support, a message that many interpreted as a potential farewell as he heads into free agency. While his future remains uncertain, the possibility of losing such a key player only added to the bittersweet feelings among the Cubs faithful following their playoff elimination.
“First Pope to Hate Watch PCA”: Social Media Erupts
The video clip of Pope Leo XIV’s direct and humorous response quickly took social media by storm. Fans across various platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), shared the moment, often with hilarious reactions. The incident was widely described as “trolling” and a “brutal jab” that perfectly captured the essence of the cross-town rivalry.
Users revelled in the Pope’s “extreme Sox fan behavior,” with one user humorously remarking, “first pope to hate watch pca 😭,” referencing a popular Cubs player. Other comments reflected the pain and amusement of the moment:
- “this hurts more than the l flag.”
- “in a literal moving vehicle and still not passing up an opportunity to dunk on the cubs is extreme sox fan behavior. god bless it.”
- “i know the pope has a white sox burner account on here i just can’t prove it.”
- “they got a damn troll as a pope now bro 😭 😭”
- “heckling the pope is crazy, but the pope also knows ball, which might be even crazier.”
The moment served as a testament to the enduring passion of Chicago baseball fans, even reaching the highest echelons of spiritual leadership.
The Enduring Cubs-White Sox Rivalry
The rivalry between the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox is one of baseball’s most passionate and deeply rooted. Historically divided by city geography (North Side vs. South Side), class lines, and differing fan cultures, every interaction between the two teams and their fanbases is steeped in decades of competition.
Pope Leo XIV’s lighthearted but pointed comment from the Vatican serves as a potent reminder that this rivalry transcends borders and even spiritual authority. It’s a badge of honor for White Sox fans to claim the Pope as one of their own, and a humorous sting for Cubs fans, who, despite their 2016 World Series victory, still face the playful jabs of their cross-town counterparts.
This incident will undoubtedly be remembered as a unique chapter in the lore of Chicago baseball, proving that no matter how far one travels or how high one’s office, some loyalties, particularly in sports, run deeper than any ocean.
