Is Robert Prevost a Cubs or White Sox fan? What to know about Pope Leo XIV's Chicago roots

White smoke trickled through the air in Vatican City on Thursday afternoon, signaling the appointment of the Bishop of Rome — better known as the pope.

When the supreme pontiff was unveiled to the masses of parishioners who pooled into the plaza at St. Peter's Square, it carried a special significance. Peruvian-American Robert Prevost was named head of the Catholic Church, becoming the first North American, first Peruvian and seventh Augustinian priest to receive the honor.

Unsurprisingly, the matriculation of Prevost, christened with the papal name Pope Leo XIV, to the Catholic Church's most prestigious position had people talking. And amongst the pomp and circumstance of Thursday's events, came a simple — and perhaps appropriate — question for the Chicago native: is the new pope a Cubs or White Sox fan?

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Here's what you need to know.

Is Robert Prevost a Cubs or White Sox fan?

ABC News initially reported that Prevost is, in fact, a Cubs fan.

It's easy to see why — as a soon-to-be 70-year-old who grew up in Chicago's south side, Prevost bore witness to a host of Windy City icons past and present, from Ernie Banks and Ron Santo to Fergie Jenkins and Ryne Sandberg.

His brother disagreed, however. In an interview with WGN, Prevost's brother, John, confirmed that his sporting allegiance lied with the White Sox, not the Cubbies, as previously believed.

"He was never, ever a Cubs fan," John Prevost said. "So, I don't know where that came from." 

John Prevost explained that he and Robert's mother was a Cubs supporter, while his father rooted for the Cardinals.

"Our mom's family was from North Side so that's why they were Cubs fans," John Prevost said.

So, where did his brother's fandom come from? He's the only member of his family to The Sox, according to John Prevost.

Perhaps it's a reflection of his South Side roots; Comiskey Park was located in the southernmost part of the city, making it fairly accessible for young Robert. To add to the White Sox side, Prevost attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series featuring the Sox. 

The South Siders recent struggles might have made that decision a bit less palatable. After posting the worst record in MLB history, the White Sox could use some divine intervention to get themselves back into MLB's good graces.

Still, they have perhaps the most famous person in the world rooting for their success. That's got to count for something, surely?

Where is Robert Prevost from?

Prevost spent much of his adult life in Trujillo, a coastal northwestern town in Peru where he taught canon law, served as a judge on the region's ecclesiastical court and lent his services to the city's Roman Catholic Archdiocese.

But the Villanova alum cut his teeth in Chicago, his beloved hometown, growing up on the south side of the city.