Thousands of Catholics celebrate election of Pope Leo XIV at Rate Field

A view of the stage from the field. The Archdiocese of Chicago hosts a historic, citywide celebration on June 14, 2025, honoring Pope Leo XIV at Rate Field, home ballpark of the Chicago White Sox. Cardinal Cupich was the main celebrant for the Mass. A program before the Mass featured performances from Leo High School's choir and an appearance of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy students who were part of a mock conclave that went viral on social media. Pope Leo addressed participants, and young people in particular, during a recorded video message. (Anthony D. Alonzo/Chicago Catholic)

Megan Mio and Marcia Lane McGee arrange ciboriums before Mass begins for thousands of participants at Rate Field. (Denise Duriga/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich talks with students from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy whose mock conclave went viral. (Anthony D. Alonzo/Chicago Catholic)

Auggie Wilk, the fourth grader elected “pope” answers a question. Wilk took the name Augustine when elected. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

The Leo High School choir performs prior to Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Little Sisters of the Poor visit before Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Augustinian Father John Merkelis, a high school classmate of Pope Leo, and Sister of St. Agnes Dianne Bergant, former teacher of Pope Leo at Catholic Theological Union, answer questions from emcee Chuck Swirsky, play-by-play announcer of the Chicago Bulls and parishioner of Holy Name Cathedral. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Luis Galycz, director of Music at Mary Mother of Divine Grace Parish and a native of Peru, sings the Peruvian Anthem prior to Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Pope Leo’s message to young people is broadcast on the screen. (Anthony D. Alonzo/Chicago Catholic)

People wear shirts showing Pope Leo’s Chicago connections. (Denise Duriga/Chicago Catholic)

Participants stand during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

People wave a Peruvian flag before Mass. Pope Leo ministered for many years in Peru and served as bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. He has dual citizenship with the United States and Peru. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

An overview of the stadium during the event. (Denise Duriga/Chicago Catholic)

Franciscan Father Ed Shea cheers as he processes into Mass. On his right, Dominic Moretti, a teacher at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy and one of the masterminds behind the idea for a mock conclave at his school, holds a ciborium and sings. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father Felipe Vaglienty wears a White Sox hat while processing into the stadium. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Augustinian Father Tony Pizzo (center), prior provincial for the Midwest Augustinians, which is Pope Leo’s home community, enters Mass. Augustinian Father John Merkelis (right), a high school classmate of Pope Leo, processes in behind him. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich incenses the altar during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Luis Galycz, a native of Peru, and Katherine Gray Noon cantor the Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich incenses the altar during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich is joined by newly ordained Canon Father Kevin Menrad and Father Chistian Garcia during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Participants pray during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich elevates the Eucharist during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Participants pray during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich celebrates the Eucharist on the field. (Anthony D. Alonzo/Chicago Catholic)

A woman holds the program book during Mass. (Denise Duriga/Chicago Catholic)

Franciscan of the Eucharist of Chicago Laura Toth takes a photo of fellow Franciscan Stephanie Baliga and Springfield Dominica Sister Mary Jo Sobieck on the field. A video of Sister Mary Jo went viral after she made the ceremonial first pitch on Marian Catholic Night at the Chicago White Sox game on Aug. 18, 2018. She took the mound in her white habit with a Marian Catholic baseball jersey, bounced the ball off her bicep, caught it and threw a strike to White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito, who came out to receive the pitch. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A woman takes a selfie with a cardboard cutout of Pope Leo. (Denise Duriga/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich waves to the crowd on his way out of Mass. (Denise Duriga/Chicago Catholic)