Key facts
- Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, delivered a video message from Chicago's Rate Field.
- He urged young people to be beacons of hope and to find meaning through God and service.
- The broadcast coincided with the Catholic Church's Jubilee year of hope.
- The event was organized by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
- Pope Leo XIV has celebrated numerous public Masses since his election.
Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff born and raised in the United States, has marked his first 100 days in office with a series of notable actions and public appearances. Since his election on May 8, the 69-year-old Chicago native has been actively engaged in the Church's Jubilee Year of Hope, celebrating numerous Masses and interacting with pilgrims.
In a significant moment for his hometown, Pope Leo XIV delivered a video message from the jumbotron at Rate Field, the home stadium of his beloved Chicago White Sox. Addressing young people, he encouraged them to be "beacons of hope" and to discover healing and meaning through God's love and service to others. This marked one of his earliest addresses entirely in English and directly to Americans.
The event, organized by the Archdiocese of Chicago, also celebrated the intersection of faith and baseball. The program included music from local choirs and discussions featuring individuals who knew the pope from his earlier life. The White Sox extended an invitation for him to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a future game.
During his papacy's initial period, Pope Leo XIV has offered 16 public Masses in 14 weeks, a pace notably higher than his predecessor in recent years. He has also engaged in unique forms of communication, such as singing hymns in Latin and English, which has inspired initiatives to make Gregorian chant more accessible. His papacy began during a jubilee year, a rare occurrence in Church history.