The Crosstown Classic is heating up this weekend as the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs battle for Windy City supremacy. But the real fireworks might be happening off the field—and all the way in Rome.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a lifelong Cubs fan, has a bold plan for his upcoming meeting with Pope Leo XIV later this month. The Pope, a proud Chicago native and die-hard White Sox supporter, might be in for a surprise when the mayor presents him with a very different kind of souvenir.

"I'll probably bring him a Cubs hat," Johnson told Block Club on Thursday. "I don't know if he'll wear it, but I'll bless it nonetheless."

The mayor didn't stop there. With both teams chasing pennants this season, Johnson sees an opportunity for some divine intervention. "If his Sox keep playing this well, though, I'm going to ask him to bless our guys on the North Side," he added. "And then, of course, we're going to pray for potentially a Cubs-White Sox World Series."

The White Sox, meanwhile, are leaning into their most famous fan's papal connection. On August 11, the team will give away special Pope-themed hats to all fans at Guaranteed Rate Field—a promotion that proved so popular the team had to expand its original plans.

"The fans have spoken, and unlike some of our more limited-quantity promotions, the White Sox Pope hat is one we believe all fans should have the opportunity to take home," said Brooks Boyer, the team's chief revenue and marketing officer. "We viewed the promotion as a creative way to celebrate one of the franchise's most popular fans, and by the overwhelming response we received, White Sox fans certainly agreed."

As of Thursday evening, the White Sox are playing well beyond expectations—almost as if they have the mandate of heaven on their side. Whether a Cubs hat can sway the Pope's allegiance remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Chicago baseball has never had a more interesting cross-town rivalry.