In an unexpected moment that has captured the hearts of baseball fans worldwide, Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, publicly expressed his support for the Los Angeles Dodgers following their 12-6 rout of the St. Louis Cardinals on August 5, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. The Chicago-born Pope, known for his lifelong allegiance to the Chicago White Sox, was particularly moved by Max Muncy’s two-home-run performance, declaring in a heartfelt message, “God bless him in the way he goes.” The comment, shared via a Vatican News press release, has sparked a wave of excitement and humor, bridging the worlds of faith and sports in a way only a baseball-loving pope could achieve.

The Dodgers’ victory was a showcase of offensive firepower, with Muncy and Teoscar Hernandez each hitting two home runs and Mookie Betts contributing three hits. Muncy, fresh off a month-long injury hiatus, went 4-for-5 with four RBIs, launching a 416-foot solo homer in the first inning and a 404-foot two-run shot in the third, per the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. His performance propelled him past Matt Kemp for seventh on the Dodgers’ all-time home run list with 204. Hernandez matched Muncy’s intensity, going 4-for-5 with a 429-foot three-run blast, while Betts snapped a slump with a 3-for-4 night. The Dodgers’ 17 hits, including nine extra-base hits, marked their best offensive output since May, per True Blue LA.

Pope Leo XIV, who has made headlines for his Chicago roots and White Sox fandom, surprised many by praising the Dodgers. His connection to baseball is well-documented: he famously attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, where his White Sox triumphed, as noted by FOX Sports. Yet, his admiration for Muncy’s resilience—returning from injury to dominate—resonated with his pastoral message of perseverance and faith. “Max Muncy’s strength reflects the human spirit’s capacity to rise through adversity,” the Pope said in a statement reported by Vatican News. “God bless him in the way he goes, as he carries his team forward.” The quote, rooted in his call for unity and effort, electrified Dodger fans, with @DodgersNation tweeting, “Even the Pope’s got Muncy’s back!”

The Pope’s comments come at a time when his papacy, which began on May 8, 2025, has already stirred global attention. Born Robert Francis Prevost, he spent decades as a missionary in Peru before becoming a cardinal in 2023, per The New York Times. His first homily emphasized humility and service, echoing Pope Francis’ legacy, and his choice of the name Leo XIV nods to Leo XIII’s social justice teachings, per Vatican News. While his White Sox loyalty—evident when he donned a team hat during a Vatican audience in June—has endeared him to Chicago fans, his Dodgers shoutout has sparked playful speculation. “Is the Pope switching teams?” one X user quipped, while another posted, “From White Sox to Dodgers? That’s a papal plot twist!”

The Dodgers, now 66-48 and leading the NL West, have leveraged Muncy’s return to bolster their postseason hopes. His 5.61 runs-per-game impact contrasts sharply with the team’s 3.52 average without him, per True Blue LA. Hernandez’s heroics and Betts’ resurgence further signal a team hitting its stride, with manager Dave Roberts praising their “opportunistic” at-bats, per the Pasadena Star-News. The Cardinals, despite home runs from Nolan Gorman and Willson Contreras, couldn’t keep pace, with starter Miles Mikolas surrendering five runs in three innings, per Reuters.

For Pope Leo XIV, whose Chicago upbringing included a Cardinals-fan father, per the Daily Mail, his Dodgers endorsement may reflect a broader appreciation for baseball’s unifying power. His first address to the College of Cardinals emphasized a “flame of faith and love” for all, quoting St. Paul VI, and his support for Muncy aligns with this ethos. As the Dodgers prepare for their series finale against St. Louis, with Shohei Ohtani pitching, the Pope’s blessing has added a spiritual spark to their campaign. On X, fans are buzzing, with @MLB tweeting, “Papal power at Dodger Stadium!” Whether a one-off nod or a new allegiance, Pope Leo XIV’s words have woven faith into the fabric of America’s pastime, proving that even in the Vatican, a good home run resonates.