Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born leader of the Roman Catholic Church, briefly donned a black Chicago White Sox baseball cap during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square on 11 June 2025. The 70-year-old pontiff, a lifelong White Sox fan from Chicago, put on the cap while greeting pilgrims, momentarily setting aside traditional papal attire. According to Boston television station reports shared widely on social media, the cap was handed to him by newlyweds from Haverhill, Massachusetts, who were attending the audience. Images of the pope in the hat circulated globally within hours, underscoring his well-publicised affection for the White Sox, a team he watched in person during their 2005 World Series run. The gesture was warmly received in Chicago. White Sox manager Venable said he “loved the support” and called the moment “great.” A mural of the cap-wearing pontiff has appeared near Guaranteed Rate Field, and the seat he occupied at the 2005 World Series has become an informal pilgrimage site for fans. The White Sox and the Archdiocese of Chicago plan to honour Pope Leo XIV with an outdoor Mass and public celebration at Guaranteed Rate Field on Saturday. City officials expect large crowds for the event, which will mark the pontiff’s first hometown tribute since his election on 8 May.