Chicago's own Munoz family added a personal touch to their Roman holiday by gifting Pope Leo XIV with a "Da Pope" t-shirt, an homage to the city's NFL team and the pontiff's Chicago roots. The family, decked out in their Bears-themed attire, had the opportunity to meet and present the shirt to the pope after attending Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Pancras in Albano, a small town just outside Rome.
Ann Munoz described the family's experience as a humble attempt to connect with the pope. "We were late and just stood at the edge before a barricade was up," she explained in a statement obtained by WGN-TV. "Then we planted ourselves at the hot sun until Mass was over. We watched it on a screen outside and even received Communion." The family's goal was simple: to catch a glimpse of the pope and share with them a token from their home city.
The touching moment of exchange was captured on video and later found its way onto the pope's official Instagram page, drawing significant attention online. During this unexpected encounter documented by NBC Chicago, Marcel Munoz recounted his starstruck reaction: "When came to me, I couldn’t even form sentences,” Marcel Munoz said. “I was like ‘Chicago, we love you pope, we love you.’ I said go Bears!"
The pope, born Robert Prevost and originally a White Sox fan from Chicago's south suburban Dolton, has been receiving Chicago sports memorabilia since his election. His connection to the city's sports culture had been previously celebrated by the White Sox with an installation near the seat where he watched the 2005 World Series opener in Chicago, according to WGN-TV. The artwork honors Pope Leo XIV's moment watching the game alongside his friends, marking a historical chapter for the city and the team.
The presentation by the Munoz family is a testament to the enduring relationship between Chicago's community and its leaders, irrespective of their global stature or spiritual office. The "Da Pope" t-shirt intersects local pride with a gesture of conviviality, resonating with people across both the city and an ocean. It exemplifies the unique way in which personal narratives and cultural symbols can connect individuals, regardless of the distances or differences that might otherwise separate them.
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