After a 41-121 finish last season – the worst in franchise history – the Chicago White Sox weren’t exactly riding a wave of good press. But thanks to a surprise assist, the team saw something of a miracle this season.

Enter Pope Leo XIV – a native of Chicago’s South Side and a lifelong White Sox fan. After his election in the spring, fans unearthed footage of him in the stands during the 2005 World Series, and the clip quickly went viral.

That series, famously swept by the Sox, marked the team’s first World Series win since 1917 – one of the most iconic moments in franchise history. The rediscovered footage of the future pontiff reignited enthusiasm among fans and sparked a surge in demand for new Sox merchandise.

The organization quickly leaned into the hype, bringing jersey No. 14 out of retirement, stitching “Pope Leo XIV” on the back and sending it to the Vatican. While the team’s official shop has kept things low-key, one nearby independent retailer reported selling hundreds, with fans lining up before opening. And buyers aren’t just local – orders have come in from South Korea, Italy and Las Vegas.

Topps dropped a limited-edition Pope Leo XIV trading card featuring his first public appearance as pope. It became the fastest-selling non-sports card in Topps NOW history, with 133,535 copies sold in just a few days. Collectors also had a shot at rare foil parallels and a “White Smoke” short print – only 267 exist, marking his place as the 267th pope. Furthermore, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame released two collectible figures of Pope Leo: one in red mozzetta and one in full papal white.