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Pope Leo XIV Sends White Sox Letter with Blessings Before Wild Card Opener Against Houston Astros
The pope called sports a school of life and invoked blessings on team officials as Chicago opened its postseason run.
On Tuesday, a letter of support from Pope Leo XIV arrived at Rate Field for the Chicago White Sox, hours before their American League Wild Card series opener against the Houston Astros.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost on Chicago's South Side, is a lifelong fan who attended the 2005 World Series opener against the Astros, watching his team win 5-3.
The Sept. 9 letter responded to White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf regarding the August 11 'Pope Night,' when fans received miter-shaped hats to celebrate the pontiff's support.
Facing an Astros team that finished 81-81, the White Sox reached the postseason for the first time in five years, seeking their first title since 1917.
Pope Leo wrote that sport should be a 'school of life,' expressing hope the team fosters 'bonds of friendship and solidarity' while invoking blessings upon the players.