The Archdiocese of Chicago celebrated Pope Leo XIV on Saturday, June 14, at the home of the White Sox. The first American pope shared a video message on the jumbotron.
“So many people who suffer from different experiences of depression or sadness — they can discover that the love of God is truly healing, that it brings hope,” Leo said.
The pontiff urged the faithful to serve others and to make the world a better place. “As you gather today in this great celebration, I want to both express my gratitude to you, and also an encouragement to continue to build up community, friendship as brothers and sisters in your daily lives, in your families, in your parishes, in the Archdiocese, and throughout our world,” the pope said. “When I see each and every one of you, when I see how people gather together to celebrate their faith, I discover myself how much hope there is in the world in this jubilee year of hope.”
Saturday’s program was emceed by Chicago Bulls announcer Chuck Swirsky. ABC News said the event included music by the city’s Leo Catholic High School Choir and a musician from Peru. There was also a discussion featuring one of the pope’s former teachers, as well as a high school classmate and fellow Augustinian.
The event was organized by the Archdiocese in honor of Leo’s election to the papacy. The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary was raised in south suburban Chicago and earned his master’s in divinity from Chicago Theological Union. He is also an avid White Sox fan.
Saturday’s event included a special invitation from the team for Leo to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a future White Sox game.
Following his time in Chicago, Pope Leo became a missionary, spending much of his career in Peru as a minister. He was also the prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery of Bishops, starting in 2023 under Pope Francis. He was then promoted to cardinal-bishop in February by the former pope.