When the Pope ventured out in Vatican City, the public’s attention was captivated by a small item that was not part of his usual papal attire.
On June 11, 2025, Pope Leo XIV’s general audience in St. Peter’s Square began with traditional rituals, blessings, and pleasant exchanges. However, it was his unexpected headgear that captured the attention and sparked a plethora of divergent views online. The day began with the Pope’s arrival in the white popemobile, waving to a large crowd of shouting pilgrims and faithful gathered in the Piazza. Thousands put up their phones to capture the scene as he walked by.
Pope Leo XIV stooped down to meet a small kid wearing a red-and-yellow hat emblazoned “España.” He held the child’s hand with a soft smile, eliciting a heartfelt and spontaneous response from others surrounding them.
The throng behind them smiled, with several recording the meeting on their phones.
Later, from the platform, the Pope addressed the audience while clad in full papal white, with a skullcap, pectoral cross, and tinted spectacles. As he addressed the throng assembled in the square, he seemed poised and expressive, with both palms slightly lifted.
Pope Leo XIV was spotted interacting personally with a bride and groom at the traditional newlywed couple welcome. A photograph showed him face-to-face with a kneeling groom beside his veiled companion, showing reverence and pastoral love.
Pope Leo XIV appears to lightly adjust or elevate his skullcap while beaming at a bride wearing a pearl-encrusted gown.
However, shortly after these close experiences, the tone changed—not spiritually, but artistically. As the public audience resumed, Pope Leo XIV was spotted wearing a black Chicago White Sox baseball hat casually over his white papal cassock.
The event immediately gained traction online, and the Chicago White Sox followed by putting the same image on X to support Pope Leo XIV’s surprising appearance.
.@Pontifex representing his favorite squad 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lyJG42S529
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 11, 2025
Online reactions were fast and mixed. One netizen voiced disgust, saying, “I don’t think the act is funny! 😑🖐 He needs to stop!” Another person asked, “Do popes do things like this?” If not, I think it’s rude and unprofessional, but I’m not very knowledgeable about the pope.
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Some expressed worry about the significance of departing from full ceremonial clothing, saying, “I hope he didn’t wear it throughout the service.” I don’t believe he can bless or curse people with diseases or rain toads unless the whole Pope regalia is donned.
Others felt more uneasy. One commenter stated that the moment seemed strange in a manner they couldn’t explain. Another commenter expressed a sense of unease that defies explanation. For example, Marge Simpson once saw Bart fly a kite at night. It simply seemed unwholesome.”
Others adopted a lighter tone and remarked, “It is very concerning that such a high-ranking religious figure would choose the wrong team.” Hopefully it’s just for baseball. 🙂 #GoCubsGo [sic].
However, many people welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s humanizing moment.
A separate viewer said, “It’s so great to see the Pope with a real-life personality that shows he’s still an ordinary guy, not some stuffy old conservative who can’t even grin.” I even noticed he was wearing an Apple Watch in one shot.”
A fan wrote, “This playful image of Pope Leo XIV wearing a White Sox cap adds a charming touch of humor and relatability to his audience.” It emphasizes the Pope’s approachability and ability to engage with people during joyful times.”
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Another person pondered on the overall message, saying, “This scene not only breaks the stereotype between religion and sports, but it also shows the Pope’s friendly and down-to-earth side.”
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This was yet another indication of Pope Leo XIV’s departure from papal norms, similar to the behavior he exhibited during his Inauguration Mass on May 18.
Approximately 200,000 people packed St. Peter’s Square to see Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass. Pilgrims, clergy, cardinals, and global leaders gathered beneath flags and cameras, and the mood was electric with excitement and enthusiasm.
He traveled into the square in an open-backed Popemobile, waving to the cheering audience. Following Pope Francis’ example, he chose not to use the bulletproof cage traditionally used to protect pontiffs.
The action defied convention, a brave step for a newly elected American pope negotiating a tumultuous global stage.
He brought the same attitude of openness to his homily. Speaking to heads of state and royalty, he remarked, “Brothers and sisters, I would like that our first great desire be for a united church—a sign of unity and communion that becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.”
He used the example of St. Peter to define the type of leadership that the pope should embody: “Peter must shepherd the flock without ever succumbing to the temptation to be an autocrat, lording it over those entrusted to him.” On the contrary, he is called to serve and accompany his brothers and sisters in their faith.
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Pope Leo XIV also committed to opposing the employment of “religious propaganda” by Church officials. His message emphasized a pontificate dedicated to walking with people, not governing over them.
Just days before, he had signaled a similar departure from precedent. On May 9, at his first Mass in the Sistine Chapel, Pope Leo XIV addressed the College of Cardinals in English, which is rarely used as the opening language of a papal sermon, especially in such a formal context.
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In his Chicago accent, he said, “I will sing a new song to the Lord” before continuing the Mass in Italian.
These gestures—the open car and the usage of English—reflected a deliberate shift in tone. They also served as a strong statement that Pope Leo XIV planned to lead in his own unique voice.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the mass with his wife, Olena Zelenska, and appeared to resonate with the Pope’s message. He later visited with Pope Leo XIV and shared details about the meeting on Instagram.
Zelenskyy praised the Pope for his audience and stated, “For millions of people throughout the world, the Pontiff represents hope for peace. The Holy See’s power and voice can help bring this war to a conclusion.
He went on to say, “We appreciate the Vatican’s commitment to serve as a venue for direct conversations between Ukraine and Russia. We are prepared to engage in any kind of discourse in order to achieve concrete outcomes.”
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Zelenskyy’s message echoed themes raised in the Pope’s homily, where he mentioned unity seven times and urged for a reconciled world.