The couple responsible for the viral moment with Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday, where the Pontifex donned a Chicago White Sox hat in St. Peter’s Square, got to do so thanks to a chance meeting.

According to WFXT Boston 25, the couple who created the viral moment are Kelly and Gary DeStefano, newlyweds who are from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Specifically, the couple are from Haverhill, Massachusetts. Haverhill is a city about a 47-minute drive from Boston.

The DeStefanos were married on May 25 and visited Rome to try and meet Pope Leo during his Weekly General Audience on Wednesday. That’s when Gary pulled out the White Sox hat and created the viral moment.

“He laughed when my husband pulled out the hat and jokingly said something in regards to ‘we’ll be in trouble but [the Pope] won’t,” Kelly DeStefano said, according to Boston 25.

When the photo made it to the wires, the White Sox posted it to their social media platforms.

What they’re saying:

The Sox, currently in the middle of the 2025 MLB season, don’t have time to dwell on the ongoings at the Vatican. But, manager Will Venable was asked before Wednesday’s game against Houston if he thinks about the fact that the Pontifex might know who he is.

“I didn’t think about that,” White Sox manager Will Venable told reporters on Wednesday after the photo of Pope Leo in the White Sox hat went viral. “If he’s a fan and locked into who the manager is, hopefully. But I’m just glad that he’s supportive of the White Sox. That’s awesome.”

Venable is just grateful for the support.

“It’s great,” Venable told reporters. “I love the support. Need it.”