In White Sox stadium broadcast, Pope Leo XIV sends message of hope to Chicago and the U.S.
In his first words directed specifically to Americans, Pope Leo XIV told young people on Saturday how to find hope and meaning in their lives through God and in service to others.
'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,' the first American pope said in a video broadcast on the jumbotron at the White Sox baseball stadium in Chicago.
The event — set in Leo's hometown and at the home stadium of his favorite major league team — was organized by the Archdiocese of Chicago in honor of his recent election as pope. Leo seized the opportunity to speak directly to young people, tying his message to the Catholic Church's ongoing Jubilee year of hope that was declared by Pope Francis.
In Saturday's message, Leo urged those listening in the stadium and online to be beacons of hope capable of inspiring others.
'To share that message of hope with one another — in outreach, in service, in looking for ways to make our world a better place — gives true life to all of us, and is a sign of hope for the whole world.'
The afternoon program, emceed by Chicago Bulls announcer Chuck Swirsky, highlighted Leo's roots, including music by the city's Leo Catholic High School Choir and a musician from Peru, according to the event's program. There was also a discussion featuring a former teacher of the pope as well as a high school classmate and fellow Augustinian.
The event also celebrated the mixing of Catholicism and baseball, including a special invitation from the team for Leo to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a future White Sox game.
Leo, formerly Robert Prevost, was elected May 8, becoming the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the church. Leo, 69, spent his career serving as an Augustinian missionary and ministering in Peru before taking over the Vatican's powerful office of bishops. He succeeded Pope Francis, who died April 21.
'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,' Leo said in the video message.
The program was followed by a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Blase Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago who was part of the conclave that elected Leo.
Holly Meyer, The Associated Press
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Skenes shines as Pirates capitalize on Blue Jays' errors for 5-2 win
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed) PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Skenes kept the American League's top team in relative check for six innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates took advantage of some sloppy play by the Toronto Blue Jays to pull away for a 5-2 victory on Monday night. Skenes bounced back from a rare shaky performance in his previous start to limit the American League-leading Blue Jays to two runs over six innings. The burly 23-year-old struck out eight against one walk as his ERA ticked up to 2.16. Evan Sisk (1-1) picked up his first big-league victory with a scoreless seventh. Dennis Santana worked the ninth for his eighth save as the Pirates won for just the second time in nine games. Henry Davis doubled off Yariel Rodríguez (2-1) leading off the seventh, and scored on a wild pitch by Brendon Little to put Pittsburgh in front to stay. Spencer Horwitz, a former Toronto first baseman, had two hits for the Pirates. The Blue Jays touched Skenes for two runs in the third inning on a fielder's choice RBI by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and a run-scoring single by Bo Bichette. Guerrero later exited in the fifth inning with left hamstring tightness, not long after going into a full split to field a throw from Bichette at short to end the bottom of the fourth. Toronto committed three errors — including one in the eighth that led directly to a run — in addition to Little's wild pitch during an unusually chippy night. The benches cleared briefly in the seventh when Pittsburgh's Tommy Pham jawed with Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman after getting walked. KEY MOMENT Toronto's George Springer led off the eighth with a single, but Pirates reliever Kyle Nicolas induced Addison Barger to hit into a double play to end the threat. KEY STAT 9 — the number of times in 10 no-decisions by Skenes this year that he has allowed two runs or fewer. UP NEXT Toronto's Max Scherzer (3-2, 3.83 ERA) goes for his 220th career victory on Tuesday when the three-time Cy Young winner faces Pittsburgh's Mitch Keller (5-11, 4.13). ___ AP MLB: Will Graves, The Associated Press
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Naeher scores first NWSL goal and Stars pull into 3-3 draw with Reign
SEATTLE (AP) — Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher scored her first National Women's Soccer League goal in the final moments of stoppage time as the Chicago Stars pulled into a 3-3 draw with the Seattle Reign on Monday night. The Stars scrambled for the equalizer after scoring a pair of late goals to pull to 3-2. Naeher, pushed forward to aid the attack and scored in the 99th minute in a crowd in front of the Reign's net. Naeher was making her 200th career start, becoming the first goalkeeper to reach the milestone in league history. She is the third goalkeeper to score a goal in the NWSL. A Women's World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist, Naeher retired from the U.S. national team last year. Jess Fishlock scored in her third straight game when she took a cross from Jordyn Huitema and guided it into the goal. Huitema scored on a bicycle kick in the 33rd minute to make it 2-0 for the Reign (7-5-4). Emeri Adames scored 10 seconds into the second half. Following the kickoff, Naeher was well out in front of her goal and Adames took advantage. Brazilian Ludmila scored for Chicago in the 73rd minute. Just five minutes later, Camryn Biegalski added another. Chicago (1-9-6) had to make two first-half substitutions because of injuries to Natalia Kuikka and Shea Groom. Dubbed the Queen's Match, the Reign honored the 1985 U.S. women's national team on the 40th anniversary of the team's first-ever international match. ___ AP soccer:
Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Swiatek downs Paolini to claim first Cincinnati Open title
Iga Swiatek captured her first Cincinnati Open title on Monday by beating Jasmine Paolini 7-5 6-4, with the Polish third seed sending a powerful message ahead of the U.S. Open. The six-times Grand Slam winner did not drop a set on her way to the title and was clinical in the final, converting all six of her break points to clinch her 11th WTA 1000 crown and first since last year's Italian Open. She is now the second all-time winner in the WTA 1000 format history, trailing only Serena Williams (23). 'I want to thank my team. I don't know why I won tournaments that were like the last ones in terms of where I thought I would be playing well,' Swiatek said. 'Thank you for forcing me to become a better player and learning how to play on these faster surfaces. I'm shocked and super happy.' Paolini made the brighter start, surging to a 3-0 lead and pushing Swiatek to the brink of a double break. Yet the Pole responded with a five-game run and, after squandering her first chance to serve out the opening set, closed it on her second attempt. Swiatek carried her momentum into the second set, saving two break points at 4-3 before holding firm to move within one game of the title. She sealed victory at the first opportunity with a big serve, extending her perfect record against the Italian to 6–0. The win ensures Wimbledon champion Swiatek will climb back to world No. 2, securing the second seed for the final major of the year at Flushing Meadows, where singles action begins on Sunday. Swiatek is also set to team up with Norway's Casper Ruud in the new U.S. Open mixed doubles event. Earlier in the day, Spain's Carlos Alcaraz claimed the men's title after top seed Jannik Sinner retired in the first set.
