Bridgeport in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Pope Leo XIV

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 29, 2026

1. Pope Leo XIV Marker

Inscription. Pope Leo XIV, known then as Father Bob Prevost, cheered on the White Sox during Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. He grew up in the Chicagoland area and was elected as the first U.S.-born pontiff on May 8, 2025.

Erected 2025 by Chicago White Sox.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is October 22, 2005.

Location. 41° 49.834′ N, 87° 38.039′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Bridgeport. It can be reached from West 35th Street west of Dan Ryan Expressway (Interstate 90/94), on the right when traveling east. The mural is painted onto the wall near Section 140 of Rate Field, home of baseball’s Chicago White Sox. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 333 West 35th Street, Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Nancy Faust Organist Booth (within shouting distance of this marker); James R. Thompson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Comiskey Park Project Labor Agreement (about 300 feet away); Nellie Fox (about 300 feet away); Harold Baines (about 300 feet away); Luke Appling

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(about 300 feet away); Carlton Fisk (about 300 feet away); Mark Buehrle (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The mural was painted at Rate Field about a week after the Chicago native Leo XIV was elected pontiff in May 2025. About 20 years earlier, he had sat in this section of what was then called U.S. Cellular Field for Game 1 of the World Series.

Based on photos of the mural from May 2025, the caption to the mural originally incorrectly described Leo as having been born in Dolton, a south suburb of Chicago that is about 12 miles south of this stadium. While he grew up in Dolton, Leo was actually born in Chicago—and quite close to here, at Mercy Hospital about a mile northeast. It is not known when the caption was fixed.

Regarding Pope Leo XIV. When Chicago native Bob Prevost was elected by the papal conclave in 2025 and became Pope Leo XIV, one early question around the Chicagoland area was about which baseball team the new pontiff rooted for: the Chicago Cubs of the National League or the Chicago White Sox of the American League? After some early rumors tied him to the north-side-based Cubs—which,

Pope Leo XIV Marker at Section 140 of Rate Field image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 29, 2026

2. Pope Leo XIV Marker at Section 140 of Rate Field

to be honest, was fairly unlikely considering that the future Pope Leo was born on the south side, where the White Sox are based, and raised in the south suburbs—it was quickly confirmed by family that he indeed rooted for the Sox. "He was never ever a Cubs fan, so I don’t know where that came from," his brother John told WGN-TV. "He was always a Sox fan."

Then it emerged that not only had he rooted for the Sox, but he had been in attendance at Game 1 of the World Series in 2005, the first World Series game held in the city since the Sox’s previous appearance in 1959. Sitting in Section 140 with family friends, he even appeared briefly on the Fox television broadcast, a moment that is pictured on the mural. The Sox won the game, 5-3, over the Houston Astros and went on to sweep the World Series in 4 games for their first championship in 88 years.

Also see . . .
1. MLB.com: The new pope was at the 2005 World Series. (Submitted on May 30, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Biography of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost. From Vatican News (Submitted on June 1, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

The future Pope Leo XIV on Fox at the 2005 World Series image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 29, 2026

3. The future Pope Leo XIV on Fox at the 2005 World Series

Not only was the future Pope Leo XIV at Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, but he was briefly shown during the Fox television broadcast of the game. The screen capture is featured in the mural at Rate Field, in the upper right corner of a photograph of him at the game that was taken by a family friend.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 29, 2026

4. Pope Leo XIV Marker at Section 140 of Rate Field

Credits. This page was last revised on June 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 27 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on May 30, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 4. submitted on May 29, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.