At Chicago Baseball Stadium, Pope Leo Makes His First Pitch To America (Video)

Priests, bishops and nuns lined the emerald infield of the stadium as Leo’s message, his first address to an U.S. audience, played on large-scale screens in the outfield.

The historic election of the first American pope – especially a hometown boy – to some was badly needed cheer and joy at a time when, they said, global turmoil fills the news.

“The timing [of Leo becoming pope] is divine, with all that’s going on in the world. It’s a nice, positive thing in what’s really a tumultuous time in the United States,” said Hannah Barger, 27, a physicians’ assistant student – and non-Catholic — who lives in Chicago and attended with a childhood friend who just became Catholic. Barger showed up without tickets but was able to find someone who had extras.

The event, organized by the Chicago Archdiocese, was billed as a celebration of Leo and his hometown, and included a performance by a local Catholic schoolboys’ choir currently on “America’s Got Talent.” Chicago Bulls announcer Chuck Swirsky served as emcee.

In his 7-½ minute message, Leo said he wanted to reach young people, noting that they had lived through the pandemic and “times of isolation, of great difficulty, sometimes even difficulties in your families,” and in the world today.

“Young people,” he said, “you are the promise of hope for so many of us.”