White Sox present Pope Leo XIV with custom 'pope hat' after sold-out game
The American pontiff receives a special keepsake from Chicago's team, including a sewn-on patch version of the 40,000 hats distributed to fans.
What to know
- Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, received a custom 'pope hat' from the Chicago White Sox at a Vatican meeting, including a deluxe version with a sewn-on logo patch, promotional merchandise, and a letter from team owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
- The gesture caps a White Sox game that distributed 40,000 pope hats to fans and raised $14,000 for the Midwest Augustinians, with McCarthy reporting the pope appreciated both the gift and the community-building aspect.
- Online discussion is sharply divided: supporters praise the inclusive, community-focused gesture and Pope Leo's appeal, while critics invoke the church's institutional problems including abuse scandals and positions on LGBTQ+ issues.
The dispute Whether the pope hat gesture represents genuine community-building and Pope Leo's positive influence, or whether it is PR that legitimizes and distracts from the Catholic Church's institutional harms on abuse and LGBTQ+ issues. · positions read across 37 posts and comments
Pope Leo is a positive force bringing people together and restoring faith, and the pope hat gesture is wholesome community-building.
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“I'm loving Pope Leo. The first American Pope and he's doing us proud.”
sirnyc.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
The pope hat promotion is cynical PR that obscures the church's institutional failures on abuse, LGBTQ+ issues, and other serious harms.
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“You really shouldn't stan this Pope. He's still in charge of the deeply evil Catholic church. As a trans woman in America, the Pope— who is ALSO AMERICAN— is specifically in charge of these jokers.”
moxiemeow.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
The pope hat is a fun, deliberately silly gesture that works precisely because both the pope and the team understand and embrace the humor.
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“Seems to be just a whisper of 'this is so silly' in Papa Leo's expression, but he's rolling with it.”
aubergenius2.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
“I've never felt compelled to wear a Pope themed item until this Pope. I'm more of a t-shirt gal but this is pretty neat!”
mischamouse.bsky.social, Bluesky user · Bluesky · Aug 29
Pope Leo XIV First American popeRev. Tom McCarthy Prior provincial, Beverly Augustinians; close friend of Pope LeoChicago White Sox MLB team
Jerry Reinsdorf White Sox owner
The record 1 articles and posts · last 30 days
What people are saying 23 voices from 1 site · best of 37 · verbatim
- Aug 30
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Even as a former north sider, I heartily approve this message.
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Despite growing up with Catholic family, I've never had any desire to have a picture of the pope in my house until now. Here's the man himself in 1982.
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i'll give him $20 if he wears it on the pope balcony
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I am not a Catholic and never will be. But kudos to Leo!
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We love Pope Leo. I may worship most of the time with Episopalians, I feel welcome at Catholic churches and love Pope's message on Christ's words.
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If they sold them on their site - a lot of non US people would be ordering them.
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CAN I BE BOTH A WHITE SOX FAN AND POPE LEO as Chicago as it gets/
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Actually I think that might be considered blasphemous, putting a sports team over God, but hey what do I know, I'm an atheist
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I hope they make it available in their merch store. I would LOVE to have one and would wear it frequently.
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I was in Rome a few weeks back, and received Pope Leo's blessing in St. Marks Square. I'm not Catholic, not really even religious. And it was an amazing moment I'll never forget.
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As opposed to the Star of the Epstein files, who had his Tiny Johnson keep the House out of session to stall passage of the Epstein files transparency Act, then let all of them vote for it, and even signed it, then had Blanche pretend it never happened...
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But not hiding the records like the Star of the Epstein files, and his supporters, the Guardians Of Pedophiles!
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I own an official bishop biretta. Chicago Leo-- The XIV does-- Have great chances-- For mama mias! Deep dish pontiff-- Order, Augustin-- We brought Nobels, a Prez a Pope The Sox now must win!
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Of course it’s a silly gesture and that’s the point. The Sox know it and so does the Pope , but that is what’s is bringing people together.
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As a former Catholic, I can safely say, never stan any pope. You'll always regret it later. Every time.
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Seems to be just a whisper of 'this is so silly' in Papa Leo's expression, but he's rolling with it. Glad the White Sox, did, too.
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This is the America I want to see my grands live in. Peace be with you. Peace be with us all.
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M
Yep. He's also in charge of a massive bigot empire.
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You really shouldn't stan this Pope. He's still in charge of the deeply evil Catholic church. As a trans woman in America, the Pope— who is ALSO AMERICAN— is specifically in charge of these jokers. I am banned from a lot of necessary healthcare in Catholic hospitals.
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The pope heads up the biggest pedo ring in the world but you go right ahead and take the PR bait.
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I’m an atheist and I would have worn that hat at that game
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This is SO COOL🤩 👍🏾HURRAY‼️POPE LEO👍🏾
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S
Such a great story. So positive. I'm loving Pope Leo. The first American Pope and he's doing us proud. Thanks for sharing. 🙂❤️🙏