On Sept. 9, 2026, Pope Leo XIV authored a letter to Chicago White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.
On Tuesday, Sept. 29, hours before their first American League wild-card game against the Houston Astros, the White Sox shared the letter — signed by the world’s most famous White Sox fan — to their X account.
“Earlier today, a letter from Pope Leo XIV arrived at Rate Field,” the caption read.
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If the sentiment from His Holiness didn’t warm Reinsdorf’s 90-year-old heart, nothing will.
“I was pleased to receive the kind letter that you sent following the game that took place at Rate Field on August 11, 2026. I am most grateful for this thoughtful gesture. As I have noted, ‘sport can truly become a school of life, where all can learn that abundance does not come from victory at any cost, but from sharing, from respecting others and from the joy of walking together’ (Letter Life in Abundance, 6 February 2026).
“In this spirit, it is my hope that the White Sox will continue to foster bonds of friendship and solidarity among people, and thus bear hopeful witness to the possibility of living and working together in peace. With these sentiments, I willingly invoke the Almighty’s abundant blessings upon you and your loved ones.”
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Pope Leo XIV attended 2005 World Series
A Chicago native, Pope Leo (given name Robert Prevost) attended the 2005 World Series, in which the White Sox defeated the Houston Astros for their most recent World Series championship.
It is by coincidence that the White Sox are hosting the Astros again Tuesday — this time in their first playoff game at Rate Field since 2021.
If the coincidence is divine, history will repeat itself when the series victor is crowned. Chicago got off to a good start, earning a 6-3 victory over Houston in Game 1 of the series.
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