Next month, Pope Leo XIV will reach out to the global youth through a video message during a special mass commemorating his papacy. This event will take place at Chicago’s Rate Field on Saturday, June 14, as part of the celebration titled “Chicago Celebrates Pope Leo XIV,” according to the Archdiocese of Chicago.
The mass will begin at 4 p.m., following a series of activities starting at 2:30 p.m. when the gates open at 12:30 p.m. The Archdiocese has yet to provide ticketing information, but it will be available on their website soon.
Significantly, the event marks a historic occasion as it will be the first time the pope shares his message via video at such a large gathering. Additionally, in a clever nod to the pope’s heritage, the White Sox baseball team has created a graphic installation in the lower concourse of Rate Field in his honor.
Interestingly, Pope Leo XIV is said to be a fan of the White Sox, a detail shared by his brother, John Prevost, who also mentioned the pope’s attendance at Game 2 of the 2005 World Series in the same stadium. This connection adds a delightful layer to the upcoming celebration.
While it remains uncertain whether Pope Leo will physically attend the event in Chicago due to his focus on internal matters at the Vatican, his potential visit would mark a significant moment in history, as he would be only the second pope to visit the city, following Pope John Paul II’s mass in Grant Park in 1979.
The upcoming event not only highlights the pope’s connection to Chicago but also serves as a rallying point for young Catholics worldwide, reinforcing the church’s commitment to engaging with youth in modern ways.