Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native, joked about the White Sox reaching the playoffs aboard the papal plane Friday, saying, “Great things happen in Chicago.” The team clinched its postseason berth with a 9-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.
The berth marks the White Sox’s return to the postseason two years after a 121-loss season. Asked whether he had anything to do with what the reporter called a “miracle,” Leo replied, “No comment.”
Manager Will Venable credited the players’ belief in themselves and one another, saying it helped them through difficult situations, including games against top teams and high-pressure moments.
