Chicago's own, now known as Pope Leo XIV, received a warm embrace from his hometown crowd at Rate Field on Saturday, as the South Side celebrated the first American pontiff in a grand display of faith and community. Cardinal Blase J. Cupich led the sold-out Mass, with Chicago Bulls announcer Chuck Swirsky serving as the emcee for the event that included music, testimonials, and a special video message from the pope, ABC7 Chicago reports.
While the event kicked off at 2:30 p.m. with a program of music and prayer, the Mass itself didn't start until 4 p.m., allowing attendees, who had purchased tickets costing just $5, ample time to settle into the venue. On-site parking, also available for a similarly modest fee of $5, was likely a big draw for residents. According to a CBS News Chicago article, city officials recommended the use of CTA to ease heavy traffic, which was expected due to the influx of participants eager to partake in the historic celebration.
Those unable to secure a ticket to the fully booked Mass had the opportunity to witness the day's events through live streams offered by ABC7 Chicago and CBS News Chicago, the latter providing coverage via their 24/7 news stream and YouTube channel. CBS News Chicago’s coverage intended to showcase interviews with prominent attendees, the pope's message, and the Mass conducted by Cardinal Cupich, alongside their regular news programming.
