Maybe, just maybe, the Chicago White Sox really did have a little divine intervention this season.

Of course, Pope Leo XIV had nothing to do with Chicago going from one of baseball's worst organizations to a playoff team. But considering everything the White Sox have endured over the last three years, calling their 2026 turnaround a miracle doesn't feel all that ridiculous.

Chicago officially punched its postseason ticket Thursday with a 9-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals, securing its first playoff appearance since 2021. The White Sox improved to 82-77 and became the first team in MLB history to reach the postseason immediately after three consecutive 100-loss seasons. No one had even done it after two consecutive 100-loss seasons.

Baseball's most famous White Sox fan has to be smiling. Pope Leo's connection to the South Side has become one of the best storylines surrounding the organization. The Chicago native and longtime White Sox supporter attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series and has been seen wearing White Sox gear from time to time.

After three straight 100-loss seasons, White Sox fans can be forgiven for wondering whether somebody upstairs might be pulling for them.

WHITE SOX WIN! WE DID IT🥹🥹 WE’RE GOING TO PLAYOFFS!!! OH SWEET POPE LEO WE ARE GOING TO PLAYOFFS😭😭

ROLL IT FELLAS! pic.twitter.com/Ky9k25Qdjg

— SouthSide Behavior (@SSBehavior) September 24, 2026

Thank you, Pope Leo! The White Sox are so back! #Southside #WhiteSox https://t.co/pe0MkdJb2v pic.twitter.com/3P8PzQ6sKS

— BROskee Wow Wow (@BROskeeWowWow) September 24, 2026

Pope Leo after his prayers to God about the White Sox actually worked pic.twitter.com/EUKQ0Jb08p

— Barstool Chicago (@barstoolchicago) September 24, 2026

I have no proof, but Pope Leo made this happen https://t.co/ceII3cMbro

— G🅰️rrett Wood (@mighty_gerot) September 24, 2026

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White Sox fans are going crazy, and they should be after being in baseball's hell for three straight seasons.

What is next for the White Sox will be to see the result of the Guardians-Red Sox series finale on Thursday. If Cleveland loses, the White Sox will be back ahead in the AL Central division due to the tiebreaker.