Online Sportsbook Offers Pope-Themed Betting on MLB Postseason
Proposition bets include whether Pope Leo XIV will attend or throw out a first pitch during the American League Division Series.
A sports betting operation is offering a series of unusual proposition bets related to Pope Leo XIV and the Major League Baseball postseason. The bets, available from BetOnline Sports & Casino, focus on whether the pontiff will make an appearance at or participate in any of the American League Division Series (ALDS) games.
Pope Leo XIV, identified as a White Sox fan from his days in Chicago as Robert Prevost, or "Father Bob," has a documented history with baseball. He reportedly attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, which the Chicago White Sox won.
The sportsbook's offerings highlight the intersection of religious figures and popular sporting events, raising questions about the nature of modern betting markets and their expansion into unconventional territories. The current offering is particularly noteworthy given the public profile of the Pope.