A sign of peace at the ballpark: White Sox honor Pope Leo XIV with ‘pope night’

Guaranteed Rate Field was transformed into a sea of white-and-black novelty miters on Tuesday night as the Chicago White Sox celebrated “Pope Night,” honoring Chicago native and Sox fan Pope Leo XIV.

To pull off the unique promotion respectfully, the White Sox marketing team collaborated early on with Chicago priest Father Tom Hurley. “We didnʼt want to do anything sacrilegious or offend people,” said Mike Downey, senior director of marketing and promotions for the White Sox, on “EWTN News Nightly.” “We wanted to do something fun and tasteful that celebrates the fact that Pope Leo is a White Sox fan.”

The collaboration paid off in a memorable ballpark moment when thousands of fans joined together for an impromptu “sign of peace.” Wearing their White Sox-branded novelty miters, fans turned to neighbors in nearby seats, exchanging handshakes, high-fives, and blessings across the concourses.

Instagram post Hurley, who joined the crowd in the stands, reflected on what the pontiff would have wanted to come of such a night.

“A few more home runs,” Hurley joked, motioning to his own branded miter. “But hereʼs what he really would love to see. The pope is a guy who promotes peace.…