Pope Leo XIV’s sports loyalties are slowly coming to light. While it’s well known that the former Cardinal Robert Prevost is a Chicago White Sox fan, his NFL preferences remain unclear. Despite the uncertainty, Vice President JD Vance chose a gift that any football fan would appreciate.
Since Leo XIV’s election as Pope and successor to Francis, the press has dissected his biography-including his sports affiliations. Prevost has openly expressed his love for tennis, and his social media interactions have revealed his support for Villanova University’s basketball team.
Initially, the Chicago Cubs suggested that the newly appointed Pope was a fan of their franchise. However, his brother, John Prevost, swiftly denied this, confirming that Leo XIV is loyal to the White Sox. Amid the speculation, Vice President Vance played it safe, presenting the Pope with a jersey that fit his Chicago roots.
JD Vance’s gift for Pope Leo XIV
Vice President Vance made sure not to arrive empty-handed at his first official audience with Pope Leo XIV. To commemorate the meeting and Prevost’s new role as leader of the Catholic Church, Vance gifted him a personalized Chicago Bears NFL jersey.
“So, this, of course, is a Chicago Bears jersey,” Vance said as he presented the gift. “As you can imagine, the people of the United States are extremely excited about you,” he added during Monday’s meeting at the Apostolic Palace.
This wasn’t just any store-bought jersey-it was customized. The nameplate reads “Pope Leo”, and instead of a traditional number, it features the Roman numeral XIV.
Trump’s letter
Along with the jersey, Vance delivered a letter from President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. “I know you have many things to do,” the Vice President said, “but I wanted to make sure I gave you that letter.”
The letter serves as an official invitation for Pope Leo XIV to visit the United States. While his potential trip would require careful planning, one question remains: Will the Pope sport a Bears or White Sox jersey when he returns to his hometown?
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