A Cap That Turned Heads in Vatican City

When Pope Leo XIV stepped out in Vatican City on June 11, 2025, it wasn’t his traditional attire that sparked conversation—it was his unexpected headwear.

A Warm Welcome at St. Peter’s Square

As the Pope arrived in his white popemobile, thousands of pilgrims lined St. Peter’s Square, phones raised to capture the moment. He smiled and waved, exuding warmth and ease.

Midway through his entrance, he leaned down to greet a young boy in a red-and-yellow cap labeled “España.” With a gentle smile, he clasped the child’s hand, prompting a wave of smiles and camera flashes from onlookers.

Addressing the Crowd

Onstage, Pope Leo XIV wore his full papal whites—skullcap, pectoral cross, and tinted glasses. He raised his hands slightly as he addressed the crowd, appearing calm and expressive.

Later, during the customary greeting of newlywed couples, the Pope knelt to engage with a groom and gently touched the bride’s veil. In a lighter moment, he adjusted his skullcap while smiling at a bride in pearls.

Enter: The White Sox Cap

Then came the twist.

Shortly after those tender scenes, the Pope reappeared—this time sporting a black Chicago White Sox baseball cap atop his cassock. The image spread rapidly across social media.

The White Sox themselves reposted the image on X, endorsing the playful look.

Pope Leo XIV wears a White Sox cap while meeting newlyweds at the Vatican on June 11, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Pope Leo XIV wears a White Sox cap while meeting newlyweds at the Vatican on June 11, 2025 | Source: Getty Images

Online Reactions: Mixed and Passionate

Not everyone appreciated the cap.

“I don’t think this is funny! He needs to stop!” one user posted. Another asked, “Do popes do things like this? Feels tacky and unserious… but I don’t know much about the papacy.”

Some expressed concern about the symbolic shift away from traditional vestments. One wrote, “I hope he didn’t wear it the whole service. He can’t give blessings or call down rain toads unless he’s in full papal gear.”

Others shared a vague unease. “There’s something unsettling about this and I can’t put my finger on it,” someone commented, referencing a bizarre episode of The Simpsons for comparison.

Not His First Break from Tradition

Pope Leo XIV has shown this spirit before.

During his Inauguration Mass on May 18, he opted for an open-back popemobile instead of a bulletproof enclosure, much like Pope Francis before him. About 200,000 people filled the square, watching as he greeted the crowd with open arms.

A Message of Unity

In his homily, the newly elected American Pope spoke clearly and inclusively:

“Let our first great desire be for a united Church… a sign of communion for a reconciled world.”

He urged the Church to lead by walking beside others, not above them. Quoting St. Peter, he rejected autocracy:

“Peter must shepherd the flock… not as a ruler, but as a servant.”

Setting a New Tone

Just days before, he had already made waves by delivering his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel—in English. Traditionally, Latin dominates such moments.

From language to attire, Pope Leo XIV continues to redefine papal tradition—sometimes with a simple baseball cap.