Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, is once again making headlines—not for solemn pronouncements or formal declarations, but for his unexpectedly warm and humorous response to a quirky gift from a visiting family.
Born in Chicago and formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Pope Leo was elected earlier this year following the passing of Pope Francis. His appointment stirred pride across the U.S., especially in his hometown of Dolton, Illinois, where locals celebrated one of their own rising to the highest spiritual office in the Catholic world.
Since taking office, Pope Leo has captured hearts not just with his faith but with his down-to-earth personality and openness to blending tradition with modern life. Earlier this summer, he was photographed wearing a Chicago White Sox cap—over his papal robes no less—a moment that delighted social media users and went viral instantly.
But it was his recent encounter with a U.S. family that truly charmed the internet. During a visit to the Vatican, the family gifted the pope a T-shirt that read “Da Pope,” a cheeky reference to the famous “Da Bears” sketch from Saturday Night Live featuring over-the-top Chicago sports fans. Rather than brushing off the casual gesture, Pope Leo embraced it with a smile and hearty laugh, proving once again that he doesn’t shy away from levity.
Online reactions were swift and enthusiastic. One Reddit user joked, “They’ll never let us have another American pope after this lol.” Another commented, “It’s kind of wholesome. They’re just proud of their hometown hero.”
Photos of the moment, including one of Pope Leo holding the shirt and grinning, spread quickly across platforms. People praised his ability to connect with everyday believers, with one commenter noting, “He speaks up for Gaza and Ukraine, but also signs Pokémon cards. He gets it—faith can be both serious and joyful.”
This blend of humility, cultural awareness, and personal authenticity has helped Pope Leo reshape how many view the papacy. Rather than distancing himself behind ornate rituals, he’s inviting the world to see the Church through a more human, relatable lens.
Moments like this may challenge centuries of formality, but they’re also forging new paths—making faith more accessible, and the man in white a little more like one of us.