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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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio
· 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 Terrell Hills News
The gift of the 2005 World Series baseball to Pope Leo XIV by A.J. Pierzynski has a unique connection to the San Antonio area, where many residents follow the Chicago White Sox due to the city's historical ties to the Midwest. As a community within the San Antonio area, Terrell Hills residents may be interested to know that the pope's fondness for the White Sox is a testament to the enduring appeal of baseball across different regions. The fact that the White Sox plan to pay tribute to Pope Leo at their August 11 game against Cincinnati may also spark interest among local baseball fans, who can look forward to watching the game and seeing the special pope-themed hats being handed out to fans. This exchange highlights the intersection of sports and community, even at the highest levels of leadership, and may inspire local discussions about the role of sports in bridging cultural and geographical divides.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Terrell Hills 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio ·
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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jay Cohen, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio. To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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