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Pope Leo XIV receives World Series baseball from former White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski
By Jay Cohen, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
Pope Leo XIV has received a special gift from former Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski.The pontiff has been given the baseball from the final out of Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. It was unclear when exactly the exchange occurred, but Pierzynski posted pictures on social media on Thursd...
Key takeaway The pontiff has been given the baseball from the final out of Game 1 of the 2005 World Series.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The gift of the 2005 World Series baseball to Pope Leo XIV by A.J. Pierzynski has a unique connection to the Houston area, given that the final out was made against the Houston team. This exchange also highlights the pope's longstanding affinity for Chicago sports teams, which may spark interest among local baseball fans who recall the White Sox' championship win. As the first pope from the US, Pope Leo XIV's reception of sports-related gifts, including items from the White Sox, Bears, and Bulls, may inspire discussions about the intersection of sports and faith in the community. The White Sox' planned tribute to the pope at their August 11 game against Cincinnati will likely be followed by local fans, and may even draw some attendees from the Piney Point area who are interested in the team's gesture.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Pope Leo XIV has received a special gift from former Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski.The pontiff has been given the baseball from the final out of Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. It was unclear when exactly the exchange occurred, but Pierzynski posted pictures on social media on Thursd...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jay Cohen, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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