White Sox to Give Away Pope-Themed Hats

Expanded promotion honors Chicago native and lifelong team fan Pope Leo XIV

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:02pm

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The Chicago White Sox are expanding their plans to give away pope-themed hats to fans as a tribute to Pope Leo XIV, who was a Chicago native and longtime supporter of the baseball team.

Why it matters

The White Sox are honoring a beloved local figure who maintained a lifelong passion for the team, highlighting the organization's connection to the community and its efforts to engage fans through unique promotions.

The details

The White Sox will be distributing 20,000 pope-themed hats to fans at an upcoming home game. The hats will feature the team's logo along with an image of Pope Leo XIV's distinctive hat. The promotion is an expansion of the team's original plans to give away 10,000 hats.

  • The pope-themed hat giveaway will take place at the White Sox home game on April 25, 2026.

The players

Pope Leo XIV

A Chicago native who was a lifelong fan of the White Sox baseball team.

Chicago White Sox

A Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to be able to honor Pope Leo XIV's legacy and passion for the White Sox with this expanded giveaway.”

— Jerry Reinsdorf, Chairman, Chicago White Sox

What’s next

The White Sox plan to continue finding unique ways to engage their fanbase and celebrate the team's history and connection to the local community.

The takeaway

The White Sox's pope-themed hat giveaway demonstrates how sports teams can creatively pay tribute to influential local figures and strengthen their bond with the community through innovative promotions.