The Chicago White Sox will pay tribute to Pope Leo XIV’s attendance at Game 1 of the 2005 World Series by installing commemorative artwork in the section where he watched the game. The tribute will be placed near Section 140, where the now-pope sat alongside family friend Ed Schmidt, who has since passed away.
The display will highlight the Chicago-born pope’s connection to the city and to baseball, which the team described as a symbol of unity. It will include a mural of the pope smiling and a still image from the game’s broadcast showing him in the stands.
That frame grab also features a young Eddie Schmidt, Ed Schmidt’s grandson, who was just five years old at the time. Now grown, Eddie joked about the pope’s loyalty:
“People might recognize me as the kid sitting next to him at Game 1. I’ll never forget that moment and just to be clear, he’s not a Cubs fan. The pope is a White Sox fan, and we’ve got the proof.”
The team also confirmed that Pope Leo XIV has an open invitation to return to Guaranteed Rate Field, possibly even to throw out a first pitch or, humorously, take an at-bat.
“The pope absolutely has an open invite to come back,” said White Sox executive Brooks Boyer.
After the pope’s election two weeks ago, Chicago sports fans were quick to debate whether he supported the Cubs or Sox. His brother John Prevost quickly ended the speculation, stating the pope had been a lifelong White Sox fan ever since their days as altar boys in Dolton, Illinois.
The Schmidt family has long-standing ties to the team Ed Schmidt was a season ticket holder, and his son Nick Schmidt now holds the same seats. The seat the pope used during that World Series game Row 19, Seat 2 will also receive a permanent marker in his honor.
The Archdiocese of Chicago will celebrate Pope Leo XIV at a special event at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 14.
