Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost has been chosen by the conclave to be the next pope. He will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Prevost, a missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and leads the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops,

Sports fans had one question when Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago was elected as the new pope: What are his favorite teams?

Prevost, 69, took the name Leo XIV. He grew up in Dolton and attended St. Mary of the Assumption. A childhood friend said maybe now that he's pope, their old church will be reopened.

Taking the name Leo XIV, the American was elected to be the 267th pontiff and spiritual leader of the world's 1.4 billion Roman Catholics.

Cardinal Robert Prevost appears on the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after being chosen the 267th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, choosing the name of Pope Leo XIV, at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (Alessandra Tarantino | AP Photo) Alessandra Tarantino | AP Photo

Robert Prevost’s Catholic roots were planted in Chicago’s south side suburbs, where he grew up playing “pretend priest” and embodies the spirit of a “second Pope

On Thursday afternoon -- running with a claim by an ABC News reporter -- the Chicago Cubs boasted that Pope Leo XIV was a fan of theirs, with their famous signage outside Wrigley Field telling the locals the good news: "Hey, Chicago. He's a Cubs fan!"

Jennie Murray, president and CEO of the National Immigration Forum, in an email to Newsweek on Thursday: "We are optimistic that the new pope will follow his predecessor's powerful example and prioritize the God-given human dignity and safety of migrants around the world. It's such an important moment to have a pope's leadership in this area."