Whole new ballgame: Pope Leo to deliver message at White Sox park in Chicago
Whole new ballgame: Pope Leo to deliver message at White Sox park in Chicago
Show Caption
Hide Caption
'One of our own': Chicago celebrates election of Pope Leo XIV
Chicago residents and leaders with the Archdiocese of Chicago are celebrating the election of a native to the papacy.
CHICAGO – Some say Chicago's south side baseball team needs a miracle. And on Saturday, they're getting it when Pope Leo XIV comes home.
Well, virtually comes home, anyway.
Leo, the recently announced new head of the Catholic Church and a Chicago native, will be appearing in his hometown Saturday on a video screen. And at his favorite team's ballpark: Rate Field, home of the White Sox. The noted fan was seen rocking the team's cap in St. Peter's Square this week in an apparent nod to the upcoming celebration.
Leo's virtual appearance at the park comes after the White Sox had the worst year in modern baseball history. Chicagoans hope his appearance will usher in a new era, perhaps with some help from high places.
'If anybody could make it happen, this is the guy,' said David Perez, weighing in from Go Tavern, a pub in the city's Logan Square neighborhood. "When I moved here, they had just won and were World Series contenders."
The Sox last won the World Series in 2005. The city has been praying for a win since then. Perez is crossing his fingers for Leo to deliver Angels in the Outfield-style help, a reference to the 1994 film where the team wins with a little help from divine intervention.
As Robert Francis Prevost, Leo was actually at the 2005 World Series when they swept the Houston Astros to win the pennant for the first time in 88 years. The baseball club commemorated the moment with a mural near Section 140 where Leo stood then, watching Game 1. The Sox went on to sweep the series.
The celebration at Sox park on the South Side will honor the pope's roots in the area. Born on the South Side in 1955, Leo grew up attending church in Chicago. In addition to the Leo's message played on the park's big screen, the event will include words from people who knew Leo. It'll also feature a mass celebrated by Chicago-area Cardinal Blase Cupich.
Chicago Bulls announcer Chuck Swirsky will emcee the event, organizers said.
Gates open at 12:30 p.m. and the program begins at 2:30 p.m., according to the Archdiocese of Chicago. Mass begins at 4 p.m. The program also includes a clip highlighting Leo's Chicago roots and friends of his are expected to speak, the archdiocese said.
Leo's message is expected to be addressed to young people around the world. Organizers hope that as much as the event is a celebration of the Chicagoland pope and his devotion to the White Sox, it will also be a chance to win over fans of the church.
'We know that we're in a moment in American culture where people are spiritually seeking and looking for meaning and purpose and oftentimes we think of the pope as sort of not quite human, as some kind of mythical figure and he's somewhat irrelevant because he's not like us,' said Brian Romer Niemiec, an organizer of the event with the archdiocese.
'If this moment can make the pope seem like he is like us, he is one of us, I think that helps a lot of people who are trying to figure out 'Is there more to life than this?' 'What is my purpose?' 'Where do I belong?''
Tickets for the event are available through Ticketmaster for $5. Resale tickets were selling for as much as $1,200 at one point, according to reporting by the Chicago Sun-Times. Tens of thousands are expected to attend the event at the stadium seating 40,000 people.
Many in the city are just excited that a Chicago native is showcasing America in a new light on the world stage instead of President Donald Trump.
'Right now the biggest figure in America is Trump and he's the polar opposite,' said Daniel Fletcher. 'It's a strong counterpoint.'
The 35-year-old with a Sox cap said he hopes attendees of the event Saturday will hear a 'more compassionate approach' as well as potentially his feeling about the abysmal season the team had last year.
'It's crazy these shared experiences we have and then to see him become the mouthpiece of God,' said Fletcher.
Pope Leo's celebration will be livestreamed on the The Archdiocese of Chicago's website. It can also be viewed on YouTube.
Attendees at the park can expect to find 'prayer booths' and be able to take selfies with life-sized cardboard cutouts of the pope, according to the archdiocese.
White Sox club leaders hope Leo will one day appear at the stadium in the flesh.'He has an open invite to throw out a first pitch,' White Sox executive Brooks Boyer said, per MLB.com. 'Heck, maybe we'll let him get an at-bat.'
Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
11 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
In the ninth inning, Garrett Crochet and Aaron Judge staged an epic hardball showdown
Ninth inning. Red Sox leading, 1-0. Garrett Crochet, for the first time in his career as a starter, pitching beyond the eighth inning. Aaron Judge, currently the best hitter on the planet yet at risk of the first game of his career in which he struck out four times against a single pitcher, at the plate. Everyone standing in breathless anticipation of a rarity – elite talents matched against each other for a fourth time in the same contest. Advertisement 'How many people were here?' Sox manager Alex Cora mused of the crowd that numbered 36,622. 'I think everybody [thought], 'Just go ahead and see what happens.'' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The result wasn't sport — it was a real-life Marvel blockbuster with a script built around two super-sized antagonists willing to explore the limits of their powers. Crochet, a 6-foot-6 wall, had been overpowering through 8⅓ innings, allowing just three hits while racking up seven strikeouts — including three against Judge, the 6-foot-7 fortress. There had been little subtlety in Crochet's plan of attack: 11 of the 14 pitches he threw to Judge in those first three plate appearances were fastballs. 'He's an incredible pitcher,' said Judge. 'That's why Boston went out and got him and made the trade they did.' Advertisement With strikeouts in the first, third, and sixth innings, the Sox lefty had run his streak of consecutive strikeouts of the superstar to six over two starts, making Crochet the fourth pitcher ever and first since 2019 to fan Judge at least six times in one year. And Crochet, afforded the chance to record the first shutout of his career, clearly smelled a seventh. 'It's not even up for debate that's the best hitter in the league right now and it's going to take a little bit extra to get him, especially the fourth time in one game,' said Crochet. 'When you're at this level, facing a guy like that makes you feel like you're at one level higher. It was really special.' Judge's ambitions, meanwhile, were modest. 'I'm just trying to put up a good at-bat, especially in the ninth,' he said. 'Really just trying to get on base and spark a rally.' Crochet had premium velocity all night, but discovered more each time he faced Judge. When Crochet fanned Judge in the sixth inning, his final two pitches registered at 98.8 and 99.0 miles per hour — the hardest two pitches he'd thrown all year. He had more in the tank for the ninth. Crochet missed the zone with a 98-m.p.h. fastball, then got a swing-and-miss on a 95-m.p.h. cutter. From there, it was all gas: 98.7 (foul) to run the count to 1-2, followed by comets at 98.2 (ball), 100.1 (foul), and 100.2 (ball), the first triple-digit offerings by Crochet with the Red Sox. Judge seemed increasingly comfortable with Crochet's velocity. But with a full count, Crochet repeated his bet: More gas. Advertisement 'It's tough when you're looking at scouting reports and the whole thing is bright red,' Crochet said of devising a plan of attack for Judge. 'For me, I'm going to live and die with my best pitch.' Catcher Carlos Narváez raised his glove to Judge's letters. Crochet ripped another fastball at 99.6 m.p.h. — but missed his spot badly. Judge obliterated a 99.6-m.p.h. fastball and painted a white, 443-foot streak against the canvas of a dark sky at 115.5 m.p.h., with his 26th homer of the year tying the contest, 1-1. 'Just demolished,' said Yankees manager Aaron Boone. On the cusp of becoming the first Red Sox pitcher since 1956 to have a complete game shutout in a 1-0 win at Fenway over the Yankees, Crochet's night instead ended, as he gave way to the bullpen after a career-high 8⅓ innings. The pitcher was crestfallen – but regretted only his location, not his pitch selection. 'Probably going to lose sleep over that [Judge at-bat] as silly as it sounds after what I would call a good outing,' said Crochet. 'But if I gave up a home run on a cutter, if I gave it up on the sweeper, I would have hated myself a little bit more. If my night had to end there on a home run I'm glad it was at least on a fastball.' Still, Crochet's misstep cost the team only the lead, and not the game. And so, one inning later, the Sox claimed victory when Narváez slammed a walkoff hit off the Wall for a 2-1 win. Yet even with his first career walkoff, Narváez knew that he was part of a supporting cast. The night belonged to, and will be remembered for, the incredible clash of Crochet and Judge. Advertisement 'That,' said Boone, 'is two great players going at it.' Alex Speier can be reached at
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Love Miley Cyrus' $10,800 Chanel Bag Look? Recreate It With This $24 Bestselling Version
Chanel might be all about old money elegance, but Miley Cyrus just gave the brand her own rocker-chic spin. On June 6, she wore a $10,800 Chanel bag with a look that proved it can go with a variety of personal styles. Want to incorporate it into your aesthetic as well? This affordable lookalike nails the look — and totally fakes designer. While attending the Chanel and Tribeca Festival 'Through Her Lens' Luncheon, the 'Flowers' singer was spotted wearing a look that served '80s rock-glam energy. Of course, she dressed in head-to-toe Chanel for the occasion, wearing a patent leather vest with silver buttons, a pleated leather skirt with tights, Mary Jane-style heels and oval sunglasses. She completed the look with a coordinating black Chanel Flap Bag — and we loved it so much we found a $24 Amazon version to recreate the look. SEE IT! Get the for just at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, June 9, 2025, but are subject to change. Love Julianne Moore's $3,500 Transitional-Weather Blazer? Score the Look for 99% Less Whether you want to channel Cyrus' edgy style or just need a new luxe-looking bag, this leather crossbody delivers. It has that same expensive-looking design, complete with a quilted exterior, chain crossbody strap and flap-over silhouette. It's made entirely of PU leather, which delivers durability and sleekness. The perfect medium-sized bag, this quilted style can carry all of your everyday essentials without weighing your shoulders down. Plus, the interior is smartly designed with two main compartments and zippered section in the middle to keep everything in place, including your wallet, phone, earbuds, lip balm and more. This isn't just a style that caught our eye as a luxury lookalike — Amazon shoppers are stopping in their tracks, too. In fact, over 300 bags were bought in just the last month, with one five-star reviewer saying that it 'looks high end.' While you can get it in Cyrus' edgy-meets-versatile black pick, the bag also comes in a variety of other stunning colors. Get it in pale pink if you're looking for some color, denim for something trendy or beige to keep it neutral. I mean, at just $24, it's worth grabbing in a few! Miley Cyrus Just Gave the Mini Skirt a Rock-Chic Revival — This $32 Version Nails the Look SEE IT! While the quilted handbag is the one we think recreates Cyrus' look nicely, Amazon has a few other lookalikes that might match your style needs more. Scroll through our other top picks to channel the luxury lookalike for less. Shop more black quilted handbags that we love: Gladdon Quilted Crossbody Bag — was $36, now $21! Montana West Quilted Chain Tote Bag — $30! Gm Likkie Medium Flap Quilted Shoulder Bag — $28! Quilted Crossbody Bag — $40! Gayi Urban Quilted Crossbody Vegan Leather Bag — $25! Not your style? Explore more quilted bags and don't forget to check out all of for more great finds! Dakota Johnson's Cool-Girl Jeans Are Subtly Sexy — and We Found a $56 Lookalike on Amazon Us Weekly and Yahoo have affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Chicago Sky Reach Dubious Milestone on Friday vs. Dream
Chicago Sky Reach Dubious Milestone on Friday vs. Dream originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Things have not quite gone the way the Chicago Sky had hoped here in the 2025 WNBA season, as the team entered Friday's matchup in Atlanta at 2-6, facing the reaminder of their schedule without point guard Courtney Vandersloot, who is out with a torn ACL. Advertisement But playing against a very good Atlanta squad that has come together quickly after some major offseason upheaval--including bringing in star Brittney Griner--the Sky accomplished something in the second quarter that qualifies as a milestone for the team: For the first time in three games, Chicago held a lead. The play came with 6:32 to go in the second period and the Sky down, 23-22. Rachel Banham took a pass from Ariel Atkins and stepped into a 3-point try near the left break. It was true, and Chicago held the lead, 25-23. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) brings the ball up court in the first quarter against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images It was a big moment considering the way the Sky's previous two games had started. On Saturday against the Fever, the Sky were tied at 2-2 with 8:59 to play but were down by 10 less than five minutes later on their way to a 79-52 blowout. Advertisement It was worse against the Liberty in the Sky's next game, an 85-66 romp. Chicago trailed, 12-0, with 5:49 to go in the first period before the team even managed a point. The Sky's last lead came when they beat Dallas, 94-83, on May 31. The good news for Chicago was that, heading into halftime in Atlanta, despite a late push from the Dream, the Sky still held the lead, 39-38, behind eight points each from frontcourt sophomores Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
