Why White Sox are giving away 'Pope Hats' to honor Chicago native Pope Leo XIV originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Vibes remain high for the Chicago White Sox and they'll only get higher on Tuesday night at Rate Field.As the AL Central leaders entering Tuesday's home matchup against the Reds, the White Sox will also be celebrating one of their most famous fans with a themed giveaway and other ballpark events.To honor Pope Leo XIV, Chicago will be giving out limited-edition "Pope Hats" to fans.Here's what to know about the White Sox's unique giveaway for Pope Leo XIV and more on his fandom of the baseball team.SN's MLB HQ:Live MLB scores|Updated MLB standings|Full MLB scheduleWhy White Sox are giving out 'Pope Hats'For Tuesday's home game against the Reds, the White Sox will be giving all fans "Pope Hats," a promotion that was first announced in April.Initially, the hats were going to be given to only 1,500 fans. But overwhelming demand led to the White Sox expanding the promotion, ordering enough hats for a full-gate giveaway for ticket holders.The White Sox have shared new details for tomorrows Pope Hat giveaway game: First pitch from Sister Mary Jo Sobieck National anthem by Nancy Faust A fifth-inning Peace Be With Youhttps://t.co/NQxSNZh3oz Pope On 35th (@SoxOn35th) August 10, 2026The White Sox are giving away over 40,000 of these tonight. Its Pope Hat night! pic.twitter.com/bjQUIgz6Yw Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 11, 2026White Sox 'Pope Night' detailsThe "Pope Hat" giveaway isn't the entirety of the White Sox's plans to celebrate their famous fan on Tuesday night.Per NBC Chicago, pregame festivities also include:Chicago White Sox Charities presenting a checkto Midwest Augustinian Province accepted by Prior Provincial Father Tom McCarthyA ceremonial first pitch by Sister Mary Jo Sobieck of the Dominican Sisters of SpringfieldTake the Field recognition, featuring students from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academys Vatican-recognized kids conclave, who will jointhe White Sox startersAnnouncement of play ball by former White Sox pitcher Donn The Pope Palland yes, Sox fans are lining up to take photos next to Pope Leo XIVs mural pic.twitter.com/uS873CHDmD White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) August 11, 2026Additionally, the White Sox will have a local artist,Nick Apple, creating a live mural painting of Pope Leo XIV at the center-field concourse at Rate Field.Finally, the White Sox will hold a fifth-inning "Peace Be With You" led byEvergreen Park and Marist High School alum Father Tom Hurley andcomedian Pat McGann.MORE:Winners and losers from the 2026 MLB trade deadlineWhite Sox use pope hat for HR celebrationIn honor of the giveaway, the White Sox players decided to use the hat as their home run celebration. It was on full display in the first inning when Brenton Doyle hit his first home run as a member of the team.The White Sox are using tonight's Pope hat giveaway as their home run celebration https://t.co/yjfUO6nJWBpic.twitter.com/EfmnZd0b2z MLB (@MLB) August 12, 2026Is Pope Leo XIV a White Sox fan?Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, is from Chicago and he is not a Cubs fan. He's now regarded as one of the most famous White Sox fans out there.Pope Leo XIV was previously revealed to have attended the White Sox's 2005 World Series matchup against the Astros.Pope Leo at Game 1 of the White Sox 2005 World Series.pic.twitter.com/664uDubHu5 Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) May 10, 2025A.J. Pierzynski met Pope Leo XIV and gifted him the final out ball from Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, the game he attended.(via aj_pierzynski_ft IG) pic.twitter.com/KBTelukQEb Pope On 35th (@SoxOn35th) June 25, 2026