If you’ve spent any time at Guaranteed Rate Field lately—or if you’re just deep into the specific, often chaotic subculture of Chicago South Side fandom—you’ve probably seen it. A white or black t-shirt featuring the image of Pope Leo XIII, though most people just call it the Pope Leo White Sox shirt. It’s one of those things that makes total sense to a very specific group of people and absolutely zero sense to anyone else. Honestly, that is the entire vibe of the Chicago White Sox as an organization.
It isn't an official piece of Majestic or Nike gear. You won't find it in the "New Arrivals" section of the MLB Shop, and Jerry Reinsdorf definitely isn't seeing a dime from the royalties. Yet, the shirt has become a badge of honor. It’s a "if you know, you know" situation that blends Catholic iconography with the grit of Chicago baseball.
The History Behind the Pope Leo White Sox Shirt
Let’s get the facts straight. The image on the shirt is Pope Leo XIII. He was the head of the Catholic Church from 1878 until 1903. Now, why on earth is a 19th-century Italian pontiff on a shirt for a baseball team founded in 1901?
It’s about the neighborhood.
Armour Square and Bridgeport, where the White Sox play, are historically deep-rooted Catholic enclaves. For generations, the rhythm of the South Side was dictated by the ringing of church bells and the crack of the bat. Pope Leo XIII specifically is a massive figure in labor history. He wrote Rerum Novarum in 1891, an encyclical that basically laid the groundwork for modern social justice and the rights of the working class.
Chicago is a union town. The South Side is a union neighborhood.
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When you see the Pope Leo White Sox shirt, you aren't just seeing a religious figure. You are seeing a nod to the working-class identity of the fan base. It’s a middle finger to the more "corporate" North Side vibes often associated with Wrigley Field. It represents a time when the parish you belonged to was as important as your zip code.
The Graphic Design is Sorta Genius
The design itself is usually pretty minimalist. It’s a high-contrast, stencil-like image of Leo XIII, often wearing the camauro (that red velvet hat) or sometimes just his papal robes, juxtaposed with the classic Gothic "Sox" logo.
Some versions are bootlegs sold in the parking lots. Others are boutique prints from local Chicago streetwear brands that want to capture that specific "Old World meets New World" aesthetic.
There’s something inherently funny about it, too. Baseball is a game of superstitions. We’ve had the Curse of the Billy Goat and the Black Sox Scandal. Invoking a Pope for a team that has spent a lot of its history struggling for a winning record feels like a very "Chicago" way of asking for divine intervention. It’s irony and earnestness wrapped into one cotton blend.
Why This Shirt Became a Viral Moment
Most "niche" shirts stay niche. They live in the back of closets or appear once a year at a tailgate. But the Pope Leo White Sox shirt took on a life of its own through social media and "White Sox Twitter."
Fans started wearing them to games specifically to get on the jumbotron. It became a meme. People began photoshopping the Pope into the dugout during high-leverage innings. When the Sox actually won games, the shirt was heralded as a "rally" charm.
But it’s deeper than just a joke.
The White Sox have a complicated relationship with their own history. They are the team of the 1919 scandal, but also the team of the 2005 World Series sweep—a championship that the national media famously forgets exists. Being a Sox fan requires a certain level of "us against the world" mentality. Wearing a shirt with a 19th-century Pope on it is a way of saying, "I’m from a place with history you don't understand."
It’s also about the aesthetic. In 2026, vintage-look streetwear is everything. The grainy, black-and-white look of the Pope Leo image fits perfectly with the current trend of "bootleg" style shirts that look like they were printed in a basement in 1994.
Where Can You Actually Find One?
You can’t just walk into a Dick’s Sporting Goods and grab one. That would ruin the point.
Most of these shirts are found through:
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- Independent Local Artists: Small Chicago-based print shops often do limited runs.
- Etsy and Redbubble: The catch-all for fan-made designs.
- The "Guy in the Parking Lot": Still a staple of the Comiskey/Guaranteed Rate experience.
If you’re looking for high quality, you have to do a bit of digging. Look for the prints that use heavy-weight cotton. The "cheap" ones tend to peel after three washes, and nobody wants a blurry Pope.
Understanding the South Side Catholic Connection
To truly understand why the Pope Leo White Sox shirt works, you have to understand the geography of faith in Chicago.
For decades, the South Side was a patchwork of ethnic Catholic parishes—Irish, Polish, Italian, Lithuanian. Each had its own massive cathedral. Names like Nativity of Our Lord or St. Gabriel are legendary in Bridgeport. These churches weren't just for Sundays; they were the social centers of the community.
Pope Leo XIII was the Pope of that era. He was the one who spoke to the immigrants moving to cities like Chicago to work in the Union Stock Yards or the steel mills.
When a fan wears that shirt today, even if they aren't particularly religious, they are tapping into that ancestral energy. It’s a tribute to grandfathers who worked the mills and then went to the game with a transistor radio. It’s a bridge between the 19th-century labor movement and the 21st-century American League Central.
It’s also just cool-looking. Let’s be honest. A guy in a papal hat next to an Old English font is a strong visual statement.
Common Misconceptions About the Shirt
I’ve heard people ask if it’s a "St. Jude" shirt because he’s the patron saint of lost causes.
Ouch.
While the White Sox have certainly tested the faith of their fans in recent seasons, it’s definitely Leo. People also confuse him with Pope Pius X or even modern popes if the print is low-quality enough. But the specific collar and the shape of the face in the most popular version of the shirt are unmistakably Leo XIII.
Another misconception is that the team officially endorsed it. They haven't. And they probably shouldn't. Part of the appeal of the Pope Leo White Sox shirt is that it is unofficial. It belongs to the fans, not the front office.
How to Style a Pope Leo White Sox Shirt (If You’re Into That)
Look, it’s a graphic tee. You aren't wearing it to a black-tie gala.
But there is a "South Side" way to wear it.
- With a beat-up Sox cap: Preferably the 1983 "batterman" logo or the classic 90s black and white.
- Layers: It looks great under a flannel or a windbreaker for those chilly April games when the wind is whipping off the lake.
- No Cubs gear: Obviously. Don't mix your metaphors.
The goal is to look like you’ve been sitting in Section 135 for thirty years, even if you just moved to the city last week.
Actionable Steps for the Fan or Collector
If you're looking to get your hands on a Pope Leo White Sox shirt or want to lean into this specific niche of sports culture, here is how to handle it correctly.
1. Verify the Image
Before buying, make sure it’s actually Leo XIII. Some knock-offs use generic "old guy" photos. Look for the specific papal "zucchetto" (skullcap) and the sharp, recessed eyes characteristic of Leo’s later portraits.
2. Support Local Printers
Try to find a vendor based in Chicago. Places like Strange Cargo or local South Side creators often have the most authentic "fan" designs that capture the right grit. Buying local ensures the "Chicago" soul of the shirt remains intact.
3. Check the Material
Since these are often "bootleg" or independent designs, the shirt quality varies wildly. If the listing doesn't specify "100% ringspun cotton" or a heavy weight (6 oz or higher), it might feel like a sandpaper tissue after one wash.
4. Know the "Why"
If someone asks you at the park why you’re wearing a Pope on your chest, tell them about Rerum Novarum and the labor history of the South Side. You’ll instantly gain ten "cred" points with the old-timers in the 500 level.
The Pope Leo White Sox shirt is more than just a piece of clothing. It’s a weird, beautiful intersection of labor history, religious heritage, and die-hard sports fandom. It’s proof that baseball teams aren't just businesses—they are the keepers of a neighborhood's weird, specific, and often holy traditions.