In White Sox stadium broadcast, Pope Leo XIV sends message of hope to Chicago and the US

By Holly Meyer Associated Press In his first words directed specifically to Americans Pope Leo XIV informed young people on Saturday how to find hope and meaning in their lives through God and in provision to others So a large number of 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 explained 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 band was organized by the Archdiocese of Chicago in honor of his contemporary ballot 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 facility in looking for solutions 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 initiative 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 activity There was also a discussion featuring a former professor 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 group for Leo to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a future White Sox event Leo formerly Robert Prevost was elected May becoming the first American pope in the -year history of the church Leo 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 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 disclosed in the video message The undertaking was to be followed by a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Blase Cupich the archbishop of Chicago who was part of the conclave that elected Leo Associated Press religion coverage receives advocacy through the AP s collaboration with The Conversation US with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc The AP is solely responsible for this content