Chicago’s South Side was solidly working class during Pope Leo’s childhood, said Rob Paral, a researcher at the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago. The family attended a South Side church, but they lived in Dolton, a suburb just past the city line.

In a place where civic pride is a way of life, Chicagoans need little help believing the election of Pope Leo shows their city is among God’s favorites.

When Pope Leo XIV was announced as the new pope, Catholics in the United States and his hometown of Chicago celebrated having one of their own lead the church. After the announcement, there were hours of speculation in the city over which baseball team the new pope supported before his family confirmed he is White Sox loyal.