Pope Leo XIV’s Fashion Choices Make Waves

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has been spotted wearing a Chicago White Sox baseball cap during a public appearance at the Vatican, making him the first pope to make such a casual pairing with his white cassocks in a choice fashion.The pope, born Robert Provost, was photographed smiling in the cap during his weekly general audience, where he met with newlywed couples.

Leo’s love for the sport was noted immediately upon his election on May 8, and his allegiance to the White Sox was confirmed by his brother, John. Footage has even revealed his attendance at the 2005 World Series, which broke the team’s 88-year drought when they won the title. The pope’s devotion to the White Sox is just one of many aspects of his life that has been pieced together since his election.

The pope’s casual attire has sparked interest in his style, with some comparing him to his predecessor, Pope Francis I, who famously went viral in an AI-generated image of the pontiff outfitted in a Balenciaga-coded white puffer jacket in 2023. Pope Francis’ tenure saw broader enthusiasm for evidence of a more contemporary and relaxed papal authority, with the Argentinian pope opting for humble, simple robes and sensible black shoes.

A new mural in Rome of Pope Leo XIV in a twist on the Chicago Bulls jersey may be a harbinger of the pope’s style legacy. The mural, created by street artist TVBoy, depicts the pontiff in a classic papal shade of red. While Pope Leo’s style has flown under the radar until now, the statement-making look of the White Sox cap could be a sign of things to come.

Pope Leo XIV’s fashion choices are seen as a “return to form,” with his attire similar to that worn by Pope Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, and other popes going back to the Middle Ages. His clothing choices show “a respect for tradition,” according to the Rev. John Wauck, professor of church communication at the Pontifical Holy Cross University in Rome. This return to traditional papal aesthetics may signal a broader shift in the pope’s approach to his role and the Catholic Church.