Priest leads White Sox stadium in offering signs of peace during game: ‘I think the Pope would really love that’
The ballgame was marked by a special celebration of Chicago native Pope Leo and was kicked off with a ceremonial first pitch from a Dominican Sister.
During the fifth inning of the Aug. 11 White Sox baseball game in Chicago, a local Catholic priest led the fans in offering each other a sign of peace, capturing a moment inspired by the Mass part and in harmony with the Chicago native Pope’s first words of his pontificate, “Peace be with you!”
Planned in advance as part of the game’s programming honoring Pope Leo XIV’s Chicago heritage and White Sox support, Father Tom Hurley, pastor of Most Holy Redeemer Parish, spoke into a microphone at Rate Field Stadium inviting everyone to offer a sign of peace.
“We offer each other a sign of peace because we want to bring peace to the world,” Father Hurley said. “And I think the Pope would really love that, whether you are Catholic or not. So everybody should stand, and find a new friend around you, and offer each other the sign of peace.”
Father Hurley said in an X post Aug. 11 that the game was an especially meaningful and enjoyable evening for him.
“Sox fans are the Best! Let’s bring some of this great energy of fellowship and peace to the world! I’m sure Leo XIV would agree,” he said.
Throughout the stadium, people reached out to one another to shake hands, some leaving their rows to reach others across the aisle.
According to Block Club Chicago, as part of the programming, more than 40,000 “pope hats,” inspired by the papal mitre, were given away to attendees at the sold-out game. The Chicago Sun Times reports that originally the giveaway of hats was intended for just 2,500 fans with special tickets, but the organization ended up significantly expanding the number of recipients.
Brooks Boyer, executive vice president of the White Sox, said they will consider making the papal-honoring theme an annual tradition, according to the Chicago Sun Times.
“We want to be super respectful to the pope, to the Vatican,” Boyer said. “Hopefully this represents a tie to his childhood team, doing it the exact right way.”
According to Boyer, Pope Leo’s brother confirmed to the White Sox front office that Pope Leo did hear about the event.
The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Springfield Dominican Sister Mary Jo Sobieck.
During the game, many fans also lined up to take photos next to the special mural of Pope Leo in the stadium.
According to SoxOn35th, before the game, Chicago White Sox Charities also made a $14,000 check presentation to the Midwest Augustinian Province of the Mother of Good Counsel, which Pope Leo belonged to when he lived in Illinois.
In June 2025, the archdiocese of Chicago celebrated Pope Leo’s Chicago roots and his support for the White Sox baseball team, with a special event at Rate Field, as Zeale News reported. The occasion marked a historic video address from Pope Leo to attendees, encouraging especially the young people to be open to God’s love and peace.
