The Chicago Cubs and Pope: Separating Myth, Metaphor, and Fandom

Overview and direct answers

The search pairing Chicago Cubs pope typically refers either to a specific statue inside Wrigleyville on Chicago’s North Side or to a mashup meme that likens a Cubs fan or leader to a pontiff. The statue is a fiberglass figure of Pope Francis erected in 2022 outside a tavern near Wrigley Field to celebrate the Cubs’ NL Central title and the team’s longtime “Catholic Cubs” narrative. The meme usage often playfully compares diehard support or optimistic hope to papal devotion. This guide explains both the physical artwork and the cultural joke, how each emerged, and why the pairing stays relevant for Cubs fans.

• The statue is a commissioned work installed near the ballpark, not an official team endorsement.
• The meme highlights fan intensity and regional sports culture more than theology.
• Both references rely on recognizable imagery rather than a literal religious figure tied to the franchise.

What “Chicago Cubs pope” usually means

In everyday search and social usage, “Chicago Cubs pope” combines two recognizable icons: the Chicago Cubs baseball team and the figure of a pope. There is no clergy member, executive, or player officially holding that title. Instead, the phrase usually points to:

• A fiberglass Pope Francis sculpture installed outside a Wrigleyville bar in 2022.
• An internet meme that likens passionate Cubs fans or hopeful narratives to papal devotion.
• A shorthand way to discuss the cultural overlap of sports fandom and civic identity in Chicago.

Because the phrase is ambiguous, it’s helpful to separate the artwork from the joke and then examine how each evolved in public discussion.

Details on the Pope Francis statue near Wrigley Field

In June 2022, a fiberglass statue of Pope Francis was placed outside Santiago’s Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar, a neighborhood fixture near Wrigley Field. The installation coincided with the Cubs’ 2022 National Central title and was organized by the bar’s owner, not the team or the Catholic Church. Key attributes are summarized below.

The statue has remained a local landmark for photo opportunities, pregame walks, and commentary about Cubs faith and optimism. It is maintained by the bar, not the team, and functions as neighborhood art rather than an official team symbol.

Why the Cubs and Pope Francis became linked in 2022

The choice of Pope Francis was likely intended to signal humility, inclusion, and a global outlook, matching the messaging around the 2022 division run. Cubs fans have long described their allegiance as a mix of hope and heartbreak, and the statue leaned into that narrative by borrowing a universally recognized figure associated with compassion and renewal. It also provided a photogenic landmark for fans gathering before games, reinforcing community identity around the ballpark.

Public and institutional reaction

Local media covered the statue as a quirky Wrigleyville fixture, and the bar owner framed it as a celebration of the team’s success rather than a religious statement. There was no notable controversy or formal objection from the team or diocese, and coverage faded into background context about neighborhood character. The statue remains in place as of the most recent available reports, weathering seasons of games and fan rituals.

The “Chicago Cubs pope” meme and cultural usage

Beyond the statue, the phrase appears in social posts where users jokingly compare Cubs fandom to religious devotion. These memes often exaggerate optimism before the season, highlight dramatic late-game decisions, or treat a player as a savior figure. Important points include:

• The humor comes from hyperbole, not from any institutional relationship.
• It reflects how regional sports fandom becomes part of local culture and identity.
• References to a “Cubs pope” are figurative and typically tied to fan sentiment or commentary.

Because memes evolve quickly, specific images or captions are not reliably persistent. Treat this usage as an expression of fandom culture rather than a factual role or title.

Historical backdrop: Cubs fandom and civic religion

The Cubs franchise has long been framed as a symbol of loyalty through adversity, partly because of a long championship drought that ended in 2016. That history encourages comparisons to rituals and narratives often found in religious contexts. The “Catholic Cubs” idea plays on Chicago’s strong Catholic heritage, but it remains a metaphor. Key distinctions include:

• The team does not have any formal affiliation with religious institutions.
• Fan expressions may borrow spiritual language, but they are cultural, not doctrinal.
• The 2022 statue is one example of this crossover, not an official endorsement.

This backdrop helps explain why the collocation of Cubs and pope feels intuitive to many people, even when no literal connection exists.

Notable people sometimes mentioned in a Cubs–pope context

While no one holds an official title, certain figures are occasionally referenced in fan conversations that use papal language. These mentions are informal and should not be treated as authoritative roles.

These references are rhetorical flourishes in media and conversation, not formal titles or verified roles.

How to interpret references you encounter

When you see “Chicago Cubs pope” in search suggestions, headlines, or social posts, consider these signals:

• A statue or photo caption likely refers to the Pope Francis sculpture near Wrigley.
• Headlines using the phrase are probably framing a cultural story or meme.
• Opinions pieces might use the term to discuss fandom intensity or owner influence.
• There is no verifiable organizational or ecclesiastical position tied to the Cubs.

Treating the phrase as figurative language rather than a literal role will help you parse coverage accurately.

Reliable takeaways

The “Chicago Cubs pope” concept mixes a real public artwork with a common meme template. The statue at Santiago’s exists as neighborhood art tied to a 2022 sports milestone. The meme usage highlights how sports fandom can borrow religious imagery for humor and identity. No person on the Cubs’ payroll holds papal authority, and no institutional partnership exists between the team and the Catholic Church. Understanding this distinction keeps expectations evidence-based and prevents confusion between symbolism and substance.

Quick comparison: statue vs meme

• Statue: Physical fiberglass figure installed in June 2022 at a Wrigleyville bar to celebrate a division title.
• Meme: Informal online humor likening fan optimism or leadership to papal behavior; varies by post.
• Institutional link: None; both references are cultural, not organizational or religious.
• Persistence: The statue remains as a landmark; specific memes fade quickly.

Related topics and further reading

To deepen your understanding, consider exploring these evergreen topics that contextualize the intersection of sports, place, and symbolism:

• Iconography in sports fan culture and public art near ballparks.
• Chicagoland Catholic heritage and its influence on regional sports identity.
• The history of the Chicago Cubs and their postseason drought through 2016.
• Case studies of team-owned landmarks and neighborhood businesses around stadiums.

Methodology and source note

Information in this article is drawn from directly observable public art, credible news coverage from mid-2022, venue announcements, and consistent fan discourse patterns. No speculative or unverified claims are presented. Where narratives are metaphorical, this is explicitly noted. This structure is designed to remain useful as long as the referenced statue and meme formats continue to appear in searches.