Keeping up with Pope Leo’s baseball news has become almost impossible, and that’s not a sentence anyone expected to write in 2025. But since taking on his role in May, Pope Leo, born Robert Prevost, has become an unlikely yet genuinely endearing baseball figure. He continues to receive custom gear, historic memorabilia, and a steady stream of baseball-related questions that have made the sport an unexpected part of his growing relatability. Who doesn’t love baseball? And if it’s good for Pope Leo, it’s suitable for everyone watching.
Here is a recap of the most significant developments from what has now become the informal but very real Pope Leo Baseball Beat …
A New Pope Meets a New White Sox Owner
Just one month after Leo’s election, billionaire Justin Ishbia, a Vanderbilt Law School friend and classmate of Clay Travis, announced his purchase of the Chicago White Sox. In discussing ways Justin could introduce himself to Chicago sports fans, a unique idea surfaced: travel to the Vatican and invite Pope Leo to throw out the first pitch at the White Sox’s planned new stadium.
The group made the trip, extended the invitation, and in a moment that immediately became baseball folklore, Pope Leo accepted. When the new White Sox ballpark opens, the pope will be on the mound for the ceremonial first pitch.
White Sox Slippers at 30,000 Feet
During his Apostolic Journey to Turkey, Pope Leo greeted journalists aboard the papal plane. Members of the traveling press corps presented him with a pair of Chicago White Sox slippers, adding another item to his growing collection of baseball-themed gifts and memorabilia. The lighthearted exchange added to the momentum of an already memorable week.
The Holy Grail: A Nellie Fox Game-Used Bat
The most remarkable baseball gift of all came shortly afterward. CBS News foreign correspondent Chris Livesay presented Pope Leo with a game-used bat belonging to Baseball Hall of Famer and White Sox legend Nellie Fox. The bat still featured Fox’s initials and number.
Pope Leo’s reaction was immediate and genuine: “Oh, wow.” Then, with impeccable timing, he asked, “How did you get this through security?” The comment drew laughter and instantly turned the moment into a viral highlight.
From Vatican City to the South Side
With every bat, ball, slipper, jersey, and story, Pope Leo’s connection to baseball continues to grow. The public has embraced the unexpected crossover, and his enthusiasm for the sport has offered a refreshing, humanizing glimpse into his early papacy. In a world often defined by division, baseball and the papacy have somehow created a shared space for joy, surprise, and a bit of humor.
The Pope Leo Baseball Beat continues, one unforgettable moment at a time.
Photo Credit Vatican Media
