A pope from Chicago was elected. The White Sox were resurrected.
Rising3 outlets reported this in 3 reports over 3 days
Sat, 8 August 2026peak 2 reports on Wed, 12 August 2026Wed, 12 August 2026
What it is about
Mike DowneyRobert PrevostBig BoiJacob GonzalezGareth BreunlinMike VasilBrian BurchGeorge CostanzaWhite SoxTom MccarthyBarack ObamaTom HurleyMark KotsayPope LeoAmerican League CentralUnited StatesNew York TimesBertucciAtlanta BravesPew Research Center
Who published it, and when
original reportfirst to report
arkansasonline.com
Japan Times
angelusnews.com
8 Aug, 06:58over 5 days12 Aug, 21:00
How it spread - 3 original reports
Sat, 8 August 2026
1 report- arkansasonline.com06:58first to report
CHICAGO -- On May 8, 2025, Mike Downey, the senior director of promotions and marketing for the Chicago White Sox, took a break from work to swing by the office lunchroom on the third floor of the ballpark. A news channel playing on a television screen said the papal conclave at the Vatican had finally selected a pope. Downey, a lifelong Catholic, checked social media for more details.
Wed, 12 August 2026
2 reports- Japan Times01:45
The team has not shied away from the connection since it was revealed the pope was a White Sox fan following his elevation to the highest seat in the Catholic Church in 2025.
- angelusnews.com21:00
Dominican Sister Mary Jo Sobieck threw the first pitch, and fans shook hands with the "sign of peace," led by the Chicago Archdiocese's Father Tom Hurley.