Pope Leo addresses US for first time with bold

On June 14, while President Donald Trump celebrated his 79th birthday with a \$45 million military parade in Washington, D.C., Pope Leo XIV delivered his first address to the U.S. from the Chicago White Sox stadium. Trump’s grand display featured tanks, aircraft, and over 6,000 uniformed soldiers in a spectacle not seen since the Gulf War. Meanwhile, Pope Leo, a South Side Chicago native and White Sox fan, shared a pre-recorded message from the Vatican that focused on hope and healing, particularly for young people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his message, the Pope urged youth to seek comfort and unity through faith and service, saying the world looks to them as a source of hope. He appeared to subtly contrast Trump’s military-themed celebration by calling for a move beyond self-interest to promote peace. Pope Leo emphasized the importance of community and helping others, stating that real meaning in life is found through service. His hopeful tone differed sharply from Trump’s eight-minute speech, which highlighted U.S. military strength and drew protests from the “No Kings” group, who criticized the parade as un-American and extravagant.