A grotesque cartoon kid dressed as Pope Leo XIV gobbles a crumpled rally towel and crumbs while waving off a White Sox pennant, against a simple baseball-diamond background.

Playoff Pontiff

Pope Leo XIV Deflects Credit for Chicago White Sox Playoff Return

Published November 1, 2026

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Pope Leo XIV joked about the Chicago White Sox’s return to the playoffs but declined to claim responsibility for the team’s success. This gross-out trading card turns his modest response into a baseball-themed papal feast.

The Real Story

The Associated Press reports that Pope Leo XIV declined to credit himself for the Chicago White Sox’s return to the playoffs. The pontiff, a Chicago native and White Sox fan, was asked about the team’s success. He responded with humor and modesty rather than taking credit. The story connects his well-known baseball allegiance with the team’s postseason milestone.

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