White Sox unveil new graphic installation honoring Pope Leo XIV

The Chicago White Sox unveiled a graphic installation on Monday that honors Pope Leo XIV. The new landmark at Rate Field is in Section 140, Row 19, Seat 2, where Father Bob sat for Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. 

The pillar artwork features a waving Pope Leo XIV, along with a picture from the TV broadcast of the future pope sitting with good friend Ed Schmit and his grandson, Eddie. 

The White Sox beat the Astros 5-3 on their way to a four-game sweep for the title.

Robert Prevost became the first pope from the U.S. in the history of the Catholic Church when he was elected on May 8. The Chicago-born missionary, who took the name Leo XIV, is a White Sox fan, according to his brother, John.

Prevost attended the World Series opener with Schmit, a longtime season-ticket holder who died in 2020. They knew each other through their work at a Catholic high school on Chicago’s South Side, and Schmit’s son, Nick, remains the account holder for the pope’s World Series seat.

[Related: Yes, Pope Leo XIV really did attend Game 1 of the 2005 World Series]

The White Sox — who have struggled on the field in recent years — and their fans have embraced their connection to the new pope since he was elected. The team said it sent a jersey and a hat to the Vatican after the announcement.

“The pope absolutely has an open invite to come back,” said Brooks Boyer, the chief executive and marketing officer for the White Sox. “To come sit in Section 140, to throw out a first pitch. Heck, maybe we’ll let him get an at-bat.”

A group of White Sox fans dressed as the pope and watched a 13-3 loss to the crosstown Cubs from the bleachers at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon. The Cubs are 6-3, including this weekend’s sweep of the White Sox, since false rumors and reports first circulated that Pope Leo XIV rooted for them and not the White Sox. The South Siders, on the other hand, are 4-6. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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