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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 Houston / 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 Magnolia News
The gift of the 2005 World Series baseball from A.J. Pierzynski to Pope Leo XIV has a unique connection to the Houston area, given that the final out was made against the Houston team. This exchange is a reminder that the Houston sports scene has a broader reach, with local teams like the Astros having a significant impact on fans and players across the country. The fact that Pope Leo XIV, a White Sox fan, was in attendance at Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, which was played against the Houston team, highlights the intersection of local sports interests and national fandom. As the White Sox plan to pay tribute to the pope at their upcoming game, Houston fans may take note of the enduring legacy of that 2005 series, which still resonates with baseball enthusiasts in the region.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Magnolia News 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 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Houston / 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 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Magnolia News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jay Cohen, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Magnolia News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Magnolia News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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