Catholic Church Video message from Leo XIV at the Pope's celebration in Chicago, the city of his birth
Pope Leo XIV greeted people in his native city of Chicago with a video message on Saturday. The speech was the highlight of a papal party at the White Sox baseball stadium, the US pope's favorite team, as Kathpress reported on Sunday.
15.06.2025, 12:48
SDA
The Archdiocese of Chicago had organized the celebration in the Pope's honour. The more than 30,000 tickets for five dollars each sold out within hours.
In his first address to a large US audience, Leo XIV called on people to work for peace and unity in the world. The 69-year-old sat at his desk in the Vatican. The speech lasted seven and a half minutes.
The head of the Catholic Church addressed young people in particular. Certain circumstances may not have allowed them to live their faith, Leo XIV said, referring to the coronavirus pandemic, for example.
"But discover how important it is for each of us to pay attention to the presence of God in our hearts, to this longing for love in our lives." This could give rise to a desire to serve others, to form friendships and communities in order to spread a message of hope.
The celebration for Leo XIV began at midday, just over a month after his election. At baseball games, many fans gathered hours before the actual match to get in the mood for the upcoming sporting event. The pre-program for the Pope's celebration consisted of music and prayers. The stadium mass was celebrated by Chicago's Archbishop, Cardinal Blase Cupich. Leo XIV addressed a special greeting to him.
