A fan dressed as the pope takes a photograph with other fans in the ninth inning of a White Sox-Marlins game on May 10, 2025, at Rate Field. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Between a crosstown baseball rivalry for papal support, billboards, church services and many memes, the Chicago roots of missionary Robert Prevost haven’t been lost on much of the city and surrounding area. Chicagoans have predictably reacted in grandiose fashion with humor and genuine affection for the South Sider as he begins heading the Catholic Church.
Pope-related T-shirts are for sale outside of Rate Field before a game against the Marlins on May 10, 2025. Formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the new Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago and raised in Dolton. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)Gladys Reconquista-Bayot and her nephew Aaron Reconquista take a selfie with a digital image of Pope Leo XIV outside Holy Name Cathedral on May 9, 2025, following the election of new pope. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)
Chalk messages are left for the new Pope Leo XIV outside his former St. Mary of the Assumption Church on May 11, 2025, in the Far South Side's Riverdale neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)A fan dressed as the pope cheers from behind home plate in the ninth inning of a White Sox-Marlins game on May 10, 2025, at Rate Field. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)The Rev. Paul Shelton greets parishioners following a special Mass at Saint Clement Church in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood in celebration of the election of Chicago native Cardinal Robert Prevost as the first pope from the United States on May 8, 2025. Prevost took the name Leo XIV. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
People pray during a special Mass at Saint Clement Church in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood in celebration of the election of Chicago native Cardinal Robert Prevost as the first pope from the United States on May 8, 2025. Prevost took the name Leo XIV. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)Sisters Vivian, from left, Isabel and Lucia Fitzgerald stand in St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Chicago's Riverdale neighborhood on May 8, 2025. The Fitzgeralds, who are members of St. Cajetan Parish in the Beverly neighborhood, stopped by the church with their mother since they were so close. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)Patrick Feltz, 28, of Villa Park, sports his homemade pope hat while waiting to enter Rate Field in Chicago for a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Miami Marlins on May 10, 2025. It took Feltz 15 minutes to make the pope hat by following instructions from a YouTube video. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Rosetta Polk has her picture taken in front of the childhood home of new Pope Leo XIV at 212 E. 141 Place, May 8, 2025, in Dolton. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)Joe Aurelio gives an interview to an Australian news outlet at "The Pope's Table" with a pepperoni pizza, now renamed the "Poperoni," on May 9, 2025, in Homewood. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)Attendees kneel in prayer as a Mass of Thanksgiving is celebrated at Holy Name Cathedral on May 9, 2025, following the election of Pope Leo XIV. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)
Alter servers exit following a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated at Holy Name Cathedral on May 9, 2025, following the election of Pope Leo XIV. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)Parishioners take part in a morning Mass of Thanksgiving at Holy Name Cathedral on May 9, 2025, following the election of Pope Leo XIV. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)The image of new Pope Leo XIV is cast on the big video board at Rate Field in Chicago before a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Miami Marlins on May 9, 2025. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)
Joe Aurelio gives an interview to an Australian broadcast news outlet at "The Pope's Table" with a pepperoni pizza, now renamed the "Poperoni," at the pizza restaurant's original location on May 9, 2025, in Homewood. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)Bishop Lawrence Sullivan speaks with the media at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago on May 8, 2025, following the naming of a new pope. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)Parishioners celebrate the naming of a new pope following a noon Mass inside Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago on May 8, 2025. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)
Pope-related White Sox T-shirts are for sale outside of Rate Field before a game against the Marlins on May 10, 2025. Formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the new Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago and raised in Dolton. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)Katherine Gehl sheds tears as she speaks about the naming of a new pope outside Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago on May 8, 2025. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)John Prevost, brother of the new Pope Leo XIV, second from left, answers reporters' questions outside his home on May 8, 2025, in New Lenox. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Rodrigo Martinez prays and watches video of the naming of a new pope outside Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago on May 8, 2025. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)
