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Krishnamoorthi gifts Cubs jersey to Pope Leo in Vatican
The Illinois congressman brought Chicago baseball rivalry to the Vatican
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Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 20, Aug 2026
- 17:23 EDT
- 44
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi / X
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi gave Pope Leo XIV a custom Chicago Cubs jersey during a Vatican meeting last week.
The jersey reads “Da Pope” and carries the number 267, marking Leo’s place as the 267th Bishop of Rome. Krishnamoorthi, a lifelong Cubs fan, said the gift led to a lighthearted exchange about Chicago’s two baseball teams.
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“When I presented Pope Leo the jersey, he immediately reminded me that the White Sox had lost the night before, on Pope Leo Day at Rate Field,” Krishnamoorthi said.
“We shared a laugh, and I asked him to spread some of that love to the Cubs and give us a little blessing to help our chances at an all-Chicago World Series,” he added.
Krishnamoorthi said the exchange showed that Leo continues to closely follow his hometown team from the Vatican.
“It was wonderful to see that even from the Vatican, the Pope still follows the Sox religiously,” he said.
Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost on Chicago’s South Side, is a longtime White Sox fan. His connection to the team has become a notable part of his public profile since his election as pope.
The White Sox have embraced that connection. The team held a “Pope Leo Day” at Rate Field and earlier this year sent Leo a signed jersey from former White Sox star Paul Konerko.
Chicago’s baseball rivalry has also made its way into Leo’s Vatican meetings. In May, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a Cubs fan, presented the pope with gifts representing both Chicago teams, including a Cubs hat.
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