CHICAGO – Whereas tens of 1000’s flooded downtown streets for the “No Kings” anti-Trump protests over the weekend, the Windy Metropolis’s south aspect drew a really completely different type of crowd. 1000’s attended a celebration on the dwelling of the Chicago White Sox to honor the town’s latest hometown hero: Pope Leo XIV.
Each inside and out of doors Price Area, songs of reward and worship crammed the air for a particular mass that includes tales concerning the new pope – a person many within the metropolis knew as Bob Prevost, a local Chicagoan and an avid White Sox fan.
The pope greeted the group from the Vatican by video. Many watched the large display, moved by his choice to steer the Roman Catholic Church and drawn in by his phrases to spice up their religion.
Sister Elizabeth Ann Yocius, a nun with the Sisters of St. Casimir, attended the weekend celebration on the ballpark. She informed CBN Information she by no means imagined an American pontiff main the Catholic Church.
“After I heard the announcer say ‘Roberto’, I am like, ‘It is him. He obtained it!'” she mentioned, recalling when she discovered about his election final Could.
After the information, she and her fellow sisters remembered that the brand new pope was an outdated buddy to their neighborhood. They shortly tracked down pictures of him providing a blessing to honor their founder, the Venerable Mom Maria Kaupas. That was again on August 28, 1999.
“So Father Robert Prevost—who we all know, grew to become Pope Leo, and we’re very comfortable about that—was the celebrant. And he blessed the sarcophagus the place Mom Maria’s stays are,” Yocius added.
For a lot of, the service reaffirmed their religion.
“God is all the time with you,” mentioned 10-year-old Emma Sertuche, describing the sensation of the gathering. “All of the individuals which are right here simply to take pleasure in that, it simply feels so touching.”
Others mentioned they got here not solely to point out their help of the brand new pope, however to hope.
“That the Holy Spirit has chosen one amongst us… it’s extremely thrilling,” defined Sister Christine Nantaba, a Ugandan nun who works as a missionary with the Sisters of the Immaculate Coronary heart of Mary Reparatrix-Ggogonya.
“And we’re right here to help him, to hope for him and his ministry,” Nantaba added.
The pope delivered a particular message to younger individuals.
“I would wish to say that you’re the promise of hope for therefore many people,” Pope Leo mentioned. “The world seems to be to you as you go searching yourselves and say: we want you, we would like you to come back collectively to share with us on this frequent mission, as Church and in society, of saying a message of true hope and of selling peace, selling concord, amongst all peoples.”
He inspired younger adherents to open their hearts to God, to serve in neighborhood, and to be a lightweight on the planet.
Younger Catholics, like Jeffrey Smith, already really feel a connection to Leo. He left his commencement ceremony at DePaul College and went on to mass at Price Area. “We had this deliberate out: a full day of exercise. I have been up since 5:30,” he informed CBN Information.
Catholic youth staff say they’ve additionally witnessed a renewed curiosity within the religion.
“Particularly the children which are from Chicago, they like all know the pope,” defined Suzie Kress, a mission employee with Totus Tuus. “They’re like, ‘Yeah! Pope Leo!'”
Different Catholics imagine that is only the start of the impact of Pope Leo, the primary American pope.
“I do know so much have left, however I assure you there’s going to be much more individuals coming again,” mentioned Andrea Borucke, who drove an hour to attend mass, whereas sporting a Pope Leo t-shirt.
