In a bold move, Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, will deliver a historic video message to the world’s youth during a televised Mass at Chicago’s Rate Field on June 14, 2025, at 4 p.m. The event, organized by the Archdiocese of Chicago, celebrates the Chicago native and lifelong White Sox fan, whose election as pope on May 8, 2025, marked a milestone for the Catholic Church. The “once-in-a-lifetime” gathering, starting at 2:30 p.m., will feature music, a film, testimonials, and the Mass, broadcast live to millions, showcasing Leo’s global influence.
The timing of the event, coinciding with former President Donald Trump’s planned birthday military parade, has sparked buzz on X, with some calling it a deliberate upstaging. Posts describe Leo’s message as a call for peace and unity, contrasting with Trump’s “America First” rhetoric. The pope, a former missionary in Peru and an Augustinian friar, has emphasized social justice and dialogue, themes expected to resonate in his address. His choice of Rate Field, where he watched Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, adds a personal touch, with the White Sox unveiling a mural in his honor.
The Mass, part of a series of June liturgies, follows Leo’s inaugural Mass on May 18, attended by 200,000, including Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Leo’s focus on the marginalized and his critiques of policies like Trump’s immigration stance have positioned him as a counterpoint to political divisiveness. As anticipation builds, the event promises to blend faith, culture, and Chicago pride, cementing Pope Leo XIV’s role as a unifying figure on the world stage.
