Pope Leo XIV appeared to savor—as Chicago White Sox fans do—the Cubs' playoff loss on Wednesday. The pope was waving to the crowd at the Vatican from the Popemobile, NBC News reports, when someone called out, "Go Cubs!" His Chicago-bred instincts kicking in, Leo responded. In two languages, reducing the chance of misinterpretation, he answered: "Han perdido! They lost!" The pope then laughed. The Cubs were knocked out of MLB postseason play last week by the Milwaukee Brewers.
The pope, and the White Sox, have been clear about which hometown team he supports. Leo attended a World Series game in 2007 involving the White Sox. The team has a graphic installation pointing out where he sat at Rate Field, per the Athletic, and has released "Pope Leo 14" jersey. In June, Leo was seen sporting a White Sox cap at the Vatican with his white cassock.