CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox unveiled a graphic installation on Monday that honors Pope Leo XIV.
Robert Prevost, the first pope hailing from the U.S. in Catholic Church history, assumed office on May 8. Coming from Chicago, this missionary opted for the papal name Leo XIV, and is known to have a soft spot for the White Sox, a fact revealed by his brother, John.
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A special tribute at Rate Field commemorates the spot where the future pope rooted for the Chicago team in Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, witnessing their victory over the Astros with a score of 5-3, eventually leading to a four-game triumph for the championship.
The team said the pillar artwork commemorates the pope’s Chicago roots “and the unifying power of baseball on the world stage.”
According to the White Sox organization, the pope was present at that game alongside Ed Schmit, now deceased, who was a family acquaintance and a season ticket holder. Both individuals had connections through their involvement at a Catholic high school in the South Side of Chicago. Additionally, Schmit’s son, Nick, currently manages the pope’s designated seat from the World Series encounters.
The White Sox’s design team made the art installation, essentially placing a graphic over the wall.
The kid seen in the screenshot of the game’s broadcast is Eddie Schmit, who attended that game with his father with his father.
“When all this transpired, I looked back and I said, ‘Is that the pope next to me?’ And sure enough, it was, and it was pretty surreal, to say the least, and it was awesome to see that,” he said.
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.
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.
Pope Leo reportedly sat in seat two of row 19 in section 140 during that World Series game.
“The pope absolutely has an open invite to come back to come sit in section 140, to throw out a first pitch. Heck, maybe we’ll let him get at bat,” said Brooks Boyer with the White Sox.
The White Sox said they plan to paint or somehow commemorate that seat to forever honor Pope Leo.
The Schmit family, which has known him for decades, says he was just another South Sider from St. Rita who has always been so kind to others.
ABC7 Chicago’s Maher Kawash contributed to this report.
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