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/Chicago Tribune)
Photos: Chicago area reacts to Pope Leo XIV, from billboards to pizza to baseball
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/Chicago Tribune)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/Chicago Tribune)
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/Chicago Tribune)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/Chicago Tribune)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/Chicago Tribune)
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/Chicago Tribune)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/Chicago Tribune)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/Chicago Tribune)
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/Chicago Tribune)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/Chicago Tribune)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/Chicago Tribune)
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/Chicago Tribune)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/Chicago Tribune)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/Chicago Tribune)
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/Chicago Tribune)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/Chicago Tribune)Parishioners celebrate the naming of a new pope following a noon Mass inside Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago on May 8, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
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/Chicago Tribune)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/Chicago Tribune)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/Chicago Tribune)
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/Chicago Tribune)
