In an unexpected collision of faith and fastballs, the selection of Pope Leo to the Vatican City has become an unlikely talking point in MLB. What began as a ceremonial event thousands of miles from any ballpark has now found its way into dugouts. Well, you might wonder about the relationship between the Pope and MLB. Ask the Phillies!
It all started after it became official that Pope Leo is a White Sox supporter. The news sent a ripple across the league. Teams have quickly seized the moment, blending pop culture with the pride of getting the first American Pope. The latest to join in? The Phillies. They found a divine opportunity to make their holy homage during their matchup with the Cardinals.
During the Phillies-Cardinals game on Monday, the Phillies reintroduced their beloved mascot, the Phillie Phanatic, as the new Pope. The playful homage came just days after the real-life announcement of Pope Leo XIV.
ohmygod the phanatic as the pope is incredible pic.twitter.com/TVqAZWtHPW
— e – bobby stink (@bobbystink10) May 13, 2025
Embracing the moment, the Phanatic made a grand entrance, being escorted to a mock balcony before breaking into a spirited dance to George Michael’s Faith. Flanked by two fellow performers dressed as Cardinals, the Phanatic held up a sign reading Bless the Phillies, drawing cheers from the Citizens Bank Park crowd.
Now that’s what we call a wholesome moment in between the plays. Harmless yet entertaining!
For starters, while the new pontiff, age 69, hails from Chicago, he has a strong tie to the Philadelphia area. Yes, you heard that right. He’s a proud graduate of Villanova University, located on the city’s Main Line. A math major, he completed his studies there in 1977, making the Phillies’ tribute a nod not just to current events, but also to local pride.
So now you know why the Phillies took an extra step to offer the Pope skit during the game.
And lastly, the Phanatic. Ahh, now that’s something fans love to see doing his stuff. Just when you think the Phanatic might be running out of tricks, the big green goofball delivers again. And this time, it’s bigger than ever!
Ever since crashing onto the scene in 1978, the Phillie Phanatic has been more than a mascot. It’s been the heartbeat of the ballpark, stirring up laughs, side-eyes, and standing ovations in equal measure.
The Phillies surely need Pope’s blessing
While the Phanatic jokingly asked for a blessing for the Phillies, that playful plea is starting to feel a little more like a cry for help. Well, if you check how the team is moving this season, you might also seek blessings for them.
The Phillies, a team with sky-high expectations coming into the year, have struggled to find consistent footing. Blame it on their untimely hitting, shaky bullpen performances, or simply bad luck, the team hasn’t quite lived up to the standard they set during last season’s playoff run.
Moreover, injuries are there. Names like Jose Ruiz and Carson Taylor got injured just at the start phase, which surely took a toll on the team’s performance. Currently, the team is standing second in the NL East with a 24-17 record, but their inconsistent outing is concerning fans. The just-concluded game with the Cardinals went down by 3-2 for the Phillies.
So, as the calendar inches toward summer and the NL East race heats up, fans are beginning to wonder if the Phanatic’s joke might carry more weight than anyone realized. You would also agree that for a club that’s looking to reclaim October magic, perhaps a little divine intervention isn’t the worst idea after all.
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