Erick Fedde’s Hilarious Take on Pope Leo XIV’s White Sox Fandom

When former Chicago White Sox pitcher Erick Fedde learned that Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, is a die-hard White Sox fan, his reaction was pure gold. "Well, maybe he had to pray a few times watching us," Fedde quipped, reflecting on the team’s brutal 41-121 season last year—the worst in modern MLB history.

Now with the St. Louis Cardinals, the 32-year-old pitcher couldn’t resist poking fun at the White Sox’s struggles. A recently surfaced video showed Pope Leo XIV, then Robert Prevost, decked out in White Sox gear during their 2005 World Series sweep against the Houston Astros. Despite rumors of Cubs allegiance, the Pope’s brother, John, confirmed his loyalty lies with the South Side.

Fedde, a bright spot in last season’s dismal campaign with a 7-4 record and 3.11 ERA, has since moved to the Cardinals, where he’s posted a 3-3 record and a 3.86 ERA. His latest gem? A complete-game shutout against the Washington Nationals. Meanwhile, the White Sox continue to flounder at 11-28, trailing the Detroit Tigers by 15 games in the AL Central.

Pope Leo XIV’s fandom adds a quirky twist to his growing public persona, which also includes ties to Villanova and the New York Knicks. For White Sox fans, knowing the Pope is in their corner might just be the divine intervention they need.