An autograph collector was blessed with a unique piece: Pope Leo XIV signed a baseball that will now be auctioned off and could fetch a price of thousands of dollars. The pontiff signed the ball for Randy L. Kaplan, a renowned autograph enthusiast who has spent decades collecting autographs from world leaders and personalities on baseballs.
An exchange with a nod to the White Sox
Kaplan sent the Pope, a known fan of the Chicago White Sox who even attended the first game of the 2005 World Series, a pair of team caps. In return, Leo XIV returned the gesture by stamping his signature on the ball, which immediately made it a highly collectible item.
The auction, organized by RR Auction, began this week and already has a dozen bids. The current price exceeds $3,000, but it is expected to increase considerably before the closing date, scheduled for October 8.
High-value precedent with Francisco
The expectation is partly explained by the fact that another ball, signed by the late Pope Francis, sold for $18,750 earlier this year. Interest in items signed by Leo XIV has also grown following several recent public gestures, such as when he autographed a group’s motorcycle for a charity auction.
A sacred sporting relic
With a mixture of religious fervor, sporting culture and the appeal of the unusual, the ball signed by the Holy Father is emerging as one of the most coveted pieces of the auction season. Organizers say it could fetch record figures, becoming a modern relic for collectors and devotees alike.
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