VATICAN CITY — Former Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski presented Pope Leo XIV with the final-out baseball from Game 1 of the 2005 World Series during a Vatican audience on June 25, 2026. Pierzynski posted pictures of the exchange on social media the same day.

Pope Leo XIV attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series as Robert Francis Prevost. Pierzynski wrote on Instagram, "I was honored to give him the last out ball from Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, the game he attended."

The Chicago White Sox defeated the Houston Astros 5-3 in Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. Bobby Jenks struck out Adam Everett to end that game. The White Sox swept the Astros in four games to win the 2005 World Series, marking the team's first title in 88 years.

Pierzynski was the starting catcher for the Chicago White Sox in 2005. He also wrote on Instagram, "7 year old me, at my First Communion, would have never thought that I would get to meet The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV."

Pope Leo XIV, elected in May 2026, is the first pope from the U.S. in the history of the Catholic Church. Following his election, he has received several Chicago sports-related gifts, including a pinstriped No. 14 White Sox jersey with "Konerko" and "Pope Leo" on the back, signed by Paul Konerko. He also received a bat that belonged to Hall of Famer Nellie Fox.

Other Chicago sports figures have presented gifts to Pope Leo XIV. Vice President JD Vance gave him a custom Chicago Bears jersey shortly after his election. Bulls radio broadcaster Chuck Swirsky presented Pope Leo XIV with a Chicago Bulls jersey with No. 14 and "Pope Leo" on the back in November 2025.

There is a graphic installation at Rate Field marking the section where Pope Leo XIV sat for Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. The Chicago White Sox plan to distribute pope-themed hats shaped like a miter with the team's sock logo at their August 11, 2026 game against the Cincinnati Reds. Pierzynski is currently a co-host of a daily baseball show called "Foul Territory" and a Fox Sports analyst.