Latest news with #ChuckSwirsky
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘South Side' Pope Leo offers video message to Chicagoans at ballpark mass
Pope Leo XIV, born in Dolton, Illinois, and a White Sox baseball fan, has been anointed by Chicagoans as the 'South Side Pope', appearing via video on Saturday at the White Sox ballpark to offer a message to young people. At a mass organized by the archdiocese of Chicago in honor of the new pope, attendees wore baseball jerseys while nuns in habits congregated near the entrance. Others dressed up in slacks and ties, and the sound of 'Pope parking!' echoed through a megaphone from a nearby parking lot. There were Pope Leo jerseys, fans wearing head-to-toe papal outfits, and even a mural painted at the stadium. Fans made pilgrimages to seat two in row 19 of section 140, where he sat at the playoff game. Last year, the team set the record for most losses in a single season. Some are hoping for a little holy intervention in this year's season. Saturday's event kicked off at 2.30pm with an introduction from Chuck Swirsky, the play-by-play voice of the Chicago Bulls, music from the Leo high school choir and Luis Galvez, and a panel discussion with Pope Leo's former teacher and a high school classmate. The first American pope, although unable to attend the mass in person, shared a video message addressing the youth of the world displayed on the jumbotron at the stadium. In his video, Pope Leo said that young people, having lived through times of isolation and great difficulty in the pandemic, may have missed out on the opportunity to live as a part of a faith community. He encouraged young people to look into their hearts, 'to recognize God is present', in a 7-minute video message. The pontiff informed those watching that they are giving hope to many people in the world and that they are a source of 'promoting peace [and] promoting harmony among all peoples'. Sandra Alders, from the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood, brought her two children to the event to experience this unique moment. 'I just wanted my children to hear a message of inspiration,' she said. Alders hopes Pope Leo will appeal to young people who don't feel connected to any church or any religion. 'I want my children to feel like they belong, and I think him being someone we can connect to in our community is a great start,' she said. Jenn Wilson, a South Side transplant living in Evanston, said: 'I don't know if a ballpark mass will make mainstream Catholicism cool for the kids. My own kids thought it was cool to have a Chicago Pope, but they're also not rushing to mass.' Before the mass, Wilson said she was hopeful that there would be remarks that defy the current political state of America, as 'they are in direct conflict with the philosophy of the Catholicism I was taught.' Starting at 4pm ET, an extravagant mass began at the stadium when the smell of incense wafted in the air as the entrance procession began. Like most masses, priests, bishops and altar servers walked with crosses and candles – except this time it was on a baseball field that holds 40,000 spectators. Underneath the Miller Time and Caesar's Sportsbook signs, the Chicago cardinal, Blase Cupich, led the mass by saying, 'I think I'm going to remember this moment as a sermon on the mound.' While Pope Leo didn't directly touch on politics, Cardinal Cupich said in his homily that while countries have a duty to secure their borders, 'it is wrong to scapegoat those who are here without documents, for indeed they are here due to a broken immigration system.' Cupich has long been an advocate of respecting human rights and has spoken out against deportations. He went on to say that immigrants are here not by invasion but by invitation. 'An invitation to harvest the fruits of the Earth to feed our families, an invitation to clean our tables, hotels and motel rooms. An invitation to landscape our lawns and, yes, even an invitation to take care of our children and our elderly,' he said. Ray Pingoy, the senior coordinator for Respect Life and Chastity Education for the Archdiocese of Chicago, asked world leaders in the Tagalog language to 'respect in both word and deed the dignity of human person, especially immigrants and refugees.' The mass notably coincided with the thousands of 'No Kings' protests around the country, and right before Donald Trump's military parade. Words of pro-immigration were met with cheers and applause. Andrew DiMaggio drove from the suburbs and said he 'couldn't miss out on this opportunity as a White Sox fan. He's our South Side Pope!' Wilson said she 'never expected an American Pope, much less a Chicago Pope'. 'At this moment, it feels like we have some acknowledgment as American Catholics to bring important things to the faith as a whole,' she said. 'We bring a different sensibility that is based on basic kindness and pragmatism.'
CBS News
6 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Pope Leo XIV delivers message of hope on video played at Chicago's Rate Field celebration
Pope Leo XIV delivered a message of hope by video message on Saturday at a celebration and mass at Rate Field, honoring the papacy of the city's native son. In an eight-minute video played during the celebration at Rate Field, Pope Leo XIV urged Catholic faithful to be a "light of hope," to serve others, and to make the world a better place. "As you gather today in this great celebration, I want to both express my gratitude to you, and also an encouragement to continue to build up community, friendship as brothers and sisters in your daily lives, in your families, in your parishes, in the Archdiocese, and throughout our world," the pope said. "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 in this jubilee year of hope." The pope also spoke directly to the young people in the audience, telling them they are the "promise of hope for so many of us." "The world looks to you as you look around yourselves and says, 'we need you,'" the pope said. The event was emceed by Chicago Bulls announcer Chuck Swirsky. Cardinal Blase Cupich was the main celebrant and homilist at the Catholic Mass that was the final element of the celebration. The Chicago Archdiocese estimated some 30,000 people bought tickets to the celebration. "I remember when they picked Pope Francis, and I knew that coming to an event like this would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Kelsey Hayes, of west suburban LaGrange. It was a packed program that included interviews with the Pope's former classmate and former college professor, and songs of praise from the choir at Leo High school. CBS News Chicago's Dorothy Tucker spoke to people at the celebration about their impressions of the pope's message. "I think the fact that he's reaching out to the youth across the world," Chris Poindexter said. "You can tell that he really cares. I mean it's hot in this stadium today. I know I felt that everyone got chills," Beatrice Poindexter said. The event also included an invitation from the Chicago White Sox for Pope Leo XIV to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a future White Sox game. The pope — a lifelong White Sox fan — was in the stands in Game 1 of the 2005 World Series, and earlier this week donned a White Sox cap given to him as a gift at the Vatican. A new mural of the pope near where he sat for the first game of the 2005 World Series attracted fans on Saturday. So did a cut-out of the pope. "They whipped it up in record speed. Everything is just so gorgeous," said Collin Patton, of northern Minnesota. Cardinal Blase Cupich, who led the Mass that ended the event, noted the significance of the moment. "Wow. I think I'm going to remember this moment as the sermon on the mound," he said.
Mint
6 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Pope Leo's first public message to US at White Sox park after being elected: Put aside ‘egotistical ways' to spread hope
Pope Leo, originally from Chicago's South Side and a longtime supporter of his cherished yet struggling White Sox, sent a video message on Saturday to a sold-out crowd participating in a Catholic Mass held in his honour at their home ballpark. He urged Chicagoans to keep away "egotistical ways" in order to extend hope and work to build community in their hometown. The pontiff, the first leader of the global Catholic Church from the United States, spoke for nearly seven minutes on Rate Field's jumbotron during the event, organised by the Chicago archdiocese and showcasing numerous other local personalities, comprising Bulls announcer Chuck Swirsky. "It's a pleasure for me to greet all of you gathered together at White Sox Park on this great celebration," the pope stated in his first public address to the US since his May 8 election whose predecessor was the late Pope Francis. While speaking in English with a slight Chicago accent, he mentioned, 'We have to look for ways of coming together and promoting a message of hope.' Hours prior to the event at Rate Field began, people had gathered around the stadium, with kids in White Sox jerseys, hawkers selling "Da Pope" baseball hats, nuns in white and blue habits and priests in their collars. Saturday's event, led by Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, coincided with nationwide demonstrations, including one at Chicago's Daley Plaza, protesting Trump's crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Meanwhile, a separate protest unfolded in Washington, DC, ahead of the president's 79th birthday celebration, which included a military parade. Pope avoided any political remarks, instead delivering a message of encouragement aimed at young people. Sister Barbara Reid, president of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where the pope studied in the 1980s, said she hoped his message might serve to bring greater unity to the US. 'A celebration that's centered on hope and possibility and unity is needed now more than ever before, Hopefully this can be a catalyst to bring us together,' she mentioned. According to the White Sox, on the first day that tickets became available for Saturday's event, over 10,000 tickets were sold in the first 15 minutes. The Chicago Sun-Times reported tickets, which sold for $5 apiece, came for resale sites like StubHub for over $1,200 just hours after they were out. (With inputs from Reuters)
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Pope Leo, from Chicago, makes his first US pitch at White Sox Park
CHICAGO (Reuters) -Pope Leo, a native of Chicago's south side and a long-time fan of his beloved but beleaguered White Sox, sent a video message on Saturday to a sellout crowd attending Catholic Mass in his honor at their hometown ballpark. The pontiff, the first leader of the global Catholic Church from the United States, appeared for about seven minutes on Rate Field's jumbotron during the event, organized by the Chicago archdiocese and featuring several other local personalities, including Bulls announcer Chuck Swirsky. "It's a pleasure for me to greet all of you gathered together at White Sox Park on this great celebration," the pope said in the video message, his first public address to the his election on May 8 to replace the late Pope Francis. The new pope called on Chicagoans to put aside "egotistical ways" in order to spread hope and work to build community in their hometown. "We have to look for ways of coming together and promoting a message of hope," he said, speaking in English with a slight Chicago accent. Hours before the event at Rate Field started, people had gathered around the stadium, including kids in White Sox jerseys, hawkers selling "Da Pope" baseball hats, nuns in white and blue habits and priests in their collars. Saturday's event, led by Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, took place as demonstrations were held in cities across the U.S., including at Chicago's Daley Plaza, to protest President Donald Trump's crackdown on undocumented immigrants, and in Washington, D.C., ahead of the president celebrating his 79th birthday with a military parade. The pope did not mention politics, and instead offered a message of encouragement to young people. Sister Barbara Reid, president of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where the pope attended seminary in the 1980s, told Reuters she hoped his message could help unite the U.S. "A celebration that's centered on hope and possibility and unity is needed now more than ever before," she said. "Hopefully this can be a catalyst to bring us together." Leo, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost, was born in Dolton, on the outskirts of the city's south side, and has spent most of his career as a priest outside the U.S. He is a member of the Augustinian religious order, and spent decades in Peru as a missionary and bishop, before first taking up a senior Vatican role in 2023. In a nod to Leo's close ties to the South American country, his celebration in Chicago on Saturday began with a performance of Peru's national anthem. The U.S. national anthem followed, performed by Leo High School's choir, which was a contestant on "America's Got Talent." The pope's family, including a brother who still lives in a Chicago suburb, has spoken about the pontiff's enthusiasm for the White Sox, even as the rival Chicago Cubs also tried to claim him. Leo briefly donned the trademark black-and-white Sox cap offered by a pilgrim during his weekly audience in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday. TICKETS RESELL FOR MORE THAN $1,200 On the first day that tickets became available for Saturday's event, more than 10,000 tickets were sold in the first 15 minutes, the White Sox said. Tickets, which sold for $5 apiece, hit resale sites like StubHub for more than $1,200 just hours after they were released, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. While Catholic parishes across the city, including the one where the Prevost family attended Mass, have shuttered amid waning church attendance, Chicago's identity is still very much entwined with the Catholic Church. When meeting strangers, Chicagoans sometimes identify their neighborhood by the name of the closest parish. "A lot of people in Chicago just have great pride that the new pope is from Chicago," said Rev. Tom McCarthy, a popular preacher from the city who is also an Augustinian. "They want to celebrate it together." The White Sox (39-121) set the modern-day record for most losses in a single season in 2024. This year, the team has the worst record in the American League so far. Fans pray the Mass gives the team a divine boost. "We need all the help we can get," said McCarthy, a lifelong Sox fan. "If the field is going to be blessed by this event, hopefully it will go right through to the players." (Reporting by Tom Polansek and Joshua McElwee, additional reporting by Emily Schmall in Chicago, Editing by Emily Schmall and Deepa Babington)
Reuters
6 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Pope Leo, from Chicago, makes his first US pitch at White Sox Park
CHICAGO, June 14 (Reuters) - Pope Leo, a native of Chicago's south side and a long-time fan of his beloved but beleaguered White Sox, sent a video message on Saturday to a sellout crowd attending Catholic Mass in his honor at their hometown ballpark. The pontiff, the first leader of the global Catholic Church from the United States, appeared for about seven minutes on Rate Field's jumbotron during the event, organized by the Chicago archdiocese and featuring several other local personalities, including Bulls announcer Chuck Swirsky. "It's a pleasure for me to greet all of you gathered together at White Sox Park on this great celebration," the pope said in the video message, his first public address to the U.S. since his election on May 8 to replace the late Pope Francis. The new pope called on Chicagoans to put aside "egotistical ways" in order to spread hope and work to build community in their hometown. "We have to look for ways of coming together and promoting a message of hope," he said, speaking in English with a slight Chicago accent. Hours before the event at Rate Field started, people had gathered around the stadium, including kids in White Sox jerseys, hawkers selling "Da Pope" baseball hats, nuns in white and blue habits and priests in their collars. Saturday's event, led by Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, took place as demonstrations were held in cities across the U.S., including at Chicago's Daley Plaza, to protest President Donald Trump's crackdown on undocumented immigrants, and in Washington, D.C., ahead of the president celebrating his 79th birthday with a military parade. The pope did not mention politics, and instead offered a message of encouragement to young people. Sister Barbara Reid, president of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where the pope attended seminary in the 1980s, told Reuters she hoped his message could help unite the U.S. "A celebration that's centered on hope and possibility and unity is needed now more than ever before," she said. "Hopefully this can be a catalyst to bring us together." Leo, the former Cardinal Robert Prevost, was born in Dolton, on the outskirts of the city's south side, and has spent most of his career as a priest outside the U.S. He is a member of the Augustinian religious order, and spent decades in Peru as a missionary and bishop, before first taking up a senior Vatican role in 2023. In a nod to Leo's close ties to the South American country, his celebration in Chicago on Saturday began with a performance of Peru's national anthem. The U.S. national anthem followed, performed by Leo High School's choir, which was a contestant on "America's Got Talent." The pope's family, including a brother who still lives in a Chicago suburb, has spoken about the pontiff's enthusiasm for the White Sox, even as the rival Chicago Cubs also tried to claim him. Leo briefly donned the trademark black-and-white Sox cap offered by a pilgrim during his weekly audience in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday. On the first day that tickets became available for Saturday's event, more than 10,000 tickets were sold in the first 15 minutes, the White Sox said. Tickets, which sold for $5 apiece, hit resale sites like StubHub for more than $1,200 just hours after they were released, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. While Catholic parishes across the city, including the one where the Prevost family attended Mass, have shuttered amid waning church attendance, Chicago's identity is still very much entwined with the Catholic Church. When meeting strangers, Chicagoans sometimes identify their neighborhood by the name of the closest parish. "A lot of people in Chicago just have great pride that the new pope is from Chicago," said Rev. Tom McCarthy, a popular preacher from the city who is also an Augustinian. "They want to celebrate it together." The White Sox (39-121) set the modern-day record for most losses in a single season in 2024. This year, the team has the worst record in the American League so far. Fans pray the Mass gives the team a divine boost. "We need all the help we can get," said McCarthy, a lifelong Sox fan. "If the field is going to be blessed by this event, hopefully it will go right through to the players."
