Pope Leo XIV continues to make history. Not only is he the first American pope, he also just set an all-time trading card record.
His 2025 Topps Now Superfractor 1/1, graded CGC 10, sold for $16,500 in Fanatics Collect’s June Premier Auction, becoming the highest-selling pope card ever.
BREAKING: The Pope Leo XIV Superfractor 1/1 just sold for $16,500.
In May, Topps released a surprise trading card of Pope Leo XIV, showing him waving from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Over 133,000 base copies were sold in just four days – making it the best-selling… pic.twitter.com/w0LvXyahi6
— Fanatics Collect (@FanaticsCollect) June 27, 2025
In May, Topps produced the card showing Leo waving from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after becoming the Catholic Church’s new pope. Over 133,000 base copies sold in just four days.
Born Robert Prevost in Chicago, Pope Leo is the most famous White Sox fan in the world. He attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series when the White Sox defeated the Houston Astros 5-3. The White Sox swept the Astros to win their first championship.
Pope Leo on the broadcast for Game 1 of the 2005 World Series pic.twitter.com/kBTv7fpcNw
– Jomboy Media (@jomboMedia) May 9, 2025
Leo even wore a White Sox cap at the Vatican days a month after being elected pope.
Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native, stuns in a White Sox cap. pic.twitter.com/AeSP4ZYEFQ
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 11, 2025
“Controversy” emerged when it was initially reported that Leo was a Cubs fan. However, the pope’s brother cleared up the confusion by revealing Leo was a lifelong White Sox fan.
The White Sox can use all the help they can get. They set the modern loss record in 2024 with 121 defeats and find themselves in last place in the American League Central again. They haven’t reached the playoffs since 2021.
