Pope Leo XIV, the most powerful White Sox fan on earth, turned a papal audience into a viral Chicago sports roast with just two words—leaving millions to wonder: can a pope’s ballpark banter change how the world sees faith and fandom?
Quick Take
- Pope Leo XIV, a lifelong White Sox fan from Chicago’s South Side, publicly trolled a Cubs fan in Spanish at the Vatican.
- His playful “Han perdido!” jab went viral, blending global religious leadership with local sports rivalry.
- The incident humanizes the papacy, sparking conversations about identity, culture, and leadership in the modern era.
- White Sox and Chicago’s Catholic community rally around the pope, cementing his place as a cultural icon beyond religion.
Pope Leo XIV: From Dolton to the Dome of St. Peter’s
Robert Francis Prevost grew up a White Sox diehard in Dolton, Illinois. That blue-collar loyalty didn’t fade when he became Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025, making history as the first American-born pontiff. In the heart of Vatican City, a Chicago accent lingers beneath the papal vestments. Leo’s story is not just one of religious ascent but of deep roots in a city defined by its baseball divide—a city where White Sox and Cubs allegiances are inherited like family heirlooms.
Chicago’s South Side culture followed Leo to Rome, where he spent two decades as a missionary in Peru, mastering Spanish and earning a reputation for approachability. Yet, even as cardinal and now pope, his ties to the White Sox remained public. The team honored him with a mural and video message at Guaranteed Rate Field in June 2025, an unprecedented salute to a fan whose spiritual influence now spanned continents.
One Viral Moment: Faith, Fandom, and the Papal Zinger
October 15, 2025, marked a new chapter in the saga of Chicago’s baseball rivalry. In St. Peter’s Square, as Pope Leo greeted pilgrims, a voice pierced the crowd: “Go Cubs!” The world paused, waiting for a diplomatic smile or a polite nod. Instead, Leo leaned into the microphone and delivered a line with South Side swagger: “Han perdido!”—“They lost!” The crowd erupted, and a video clip rocketed across social media, transforming a papal audience into a sports bar moment for the ages.
White Sox fans in Chicago and worldwide reveled in their pope’s playful jab. The Cubs, fresh off a playoff elimination, became the punchline in a Vatican setting. The incident wasn’t an isolated display: Pope Leo had previously donned a White Sox cap in public, and his family had long confirmed his South Side allegiance. This was authenticity, not opportunism—sports rivalry as spiritual theater.
Pope Leo has epic response to Cubs fan trolling him in crowd https://t.co/VpFCbcrq5H pic.twitter.com/J7X1wlnWSH
— New York Post (@nypost) October 15, 2025
Rivalry, Identity, and the Reach of a Relatable Pope
Chicago’s baseball feud is more than sport; it’s a battle for identity. The North Side Cubs, with their curse-breaking 2016 championship, represent tradition and resilience. The South Side White Sox, gritty and loyal, carry their own underdog mythology. Pope Leo’s choice is a declaration of origin, not just preference. Legal scholars and cultural commentators note that his fandom is both deeply personal and a reflection of Chicago’s fractured loyalties—a symbol of division that, paradoxically, unites the faithful in laughter and pride.
The Vatican is rarely a stage for local sports rivalry, but Leo’s banter has changed expectations. His playful public persona—backed by decades of Chicago street cred—invites Catholics and non-Catholics alike to see the papacy in a new light. The moment has inspired new outreach strategies, bridging generational gaps and injecting humanity into an ancient institution. The White Sox, seizing the opportunity, continue to celebrate their superfan pope with tributes, merchandise, and invitations to ceremonial first pitches.
Legacy, Impact, and the Power of a Two-Word Roast
The immediate aftermath: White Sox morale soared, Cubs fans took their lumps, and Catholic faithful debated whether playful trolling could be holy. The viral video fueled merchandise sales and boosted Chicago’s international profile as a city of fierce pride and humor. More profoundly, Pope Leo’s “Han perdido!” set a precedent for spiritual leaders engaging pop culture without sacrificing gravitas.
In a world weary of division, this papal quip reminded millions that leadership can be both relatable and reverent. The story’s staying power lies not in the rivalry, but in the lesson: identity, humor, and authenticity can coexist—even atop the world’s oldest throne. As for the next time a Cubs fan heckles at the Vatican, the world will be watching, popcorn in hand, to see what the pope’s got up his sleeve.
