The Chicago White Sox are distributing pope-themed hats to every attendee at their Aug. 11 game against the Cincinnati Reds, expanding from an originally limited promotion. The team made the change after overwhelming fan response to the tribute honoring Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native and longtime baseball fan. The hats are shaped like the Pope's miter and feature the team's sock logo.

Originally, only fans who purchased specialty theme night tickets received the promotional item. Brooks Boyer, the team's chief revenue and marketing officer, said the decision came directly from fan demand. "The fans have spoken," Boyer stated, noting the promotion celebrates one of the franchise's most popular supporters. Fans who already bought specialty tickets will receive both the pope hat and an additional item.

The promotion connects to Pope Leo's history with the team, including his attendance at the 2005 World Series opener where the White Sox defeated the Astros 5-3. The pope has previously broken Vatican protocol by wearing a White Sox cap and famously declared "they lost" when someone shouted "go Cubs" last October.