What's it like to be a Catholic priest rooting against the White Sox, Pope Leo XIV's favorite team?
- Cleveland priest Father Eric Garris isn't letting papal fandom dampen his Guardians spirit.
- Pope Leo XIV, a die-hard White Sox supporter, is reportedly keeping tabs on the team from the Vatican.
- White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf received a papal blessing letter, sparking lighthearted conversion jokes.
- Local clergy are now betting rosaries on the outcome of the MLB playoffs.
Brief Summary
In an unlikely collision of the Vatican and the baseball diamond, a Cleveland-based priest is publicly debating the divine implications of Pope Leo XIV’s well-documented obsession with the Chicago White Sox. While the Pope remains an avid fan who keeps up with scores from across the Atlantic, local clergy in Cleveland are busy praying for their own team—the Guardians—and preparing to wager religious artifacts on the postseason results.
Why This Matters
This story highlights the growing intersection of secular pop culture and religious leadership, showing that even the highest echelons of the Church are not immune to the tribalism of sports fandom. For you, this serves as a reminder that sports remain a universal language that bridges gaps between the pews and the bleachers, even if it means your local priest might be rooting against your favorite team in the name of hometown pride.