Pope Leo celebrates Chicago roots and community during summer retreat

Just because he’s on vacation doesn’t mean Pope Leo XIV takes a break from his Sunday duties. The pontiff led Mass on Sunday, July 13, at the papal parish of St. Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo.

That is the summer vacation home of the Vatican.

Sunday’s message focused on the parable of the Good Samaritan.

 “Do we look and walk by, or do we open our hearts to others, like the Samaritan? Are we content at times merely to do our duty, or to regard as our neighbor only those who are part of our group, who think like us, who share our same nationality or religion?” Leo asked.

Back in Leo’s hometown of Chicago, it was a special delivery for former White Sox great Paul Konerko.

Fox News reported that Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich presented Konerko with a jersey signed by “a fan” before Saturday, July 12’s game against the Cleveland Guardians.

The jersey was autographed by Leo. On the back, it showed both Konerko and Pope Leo above the number 14.

Before he was appointed Pope, Robert Prevost was spotted in the crowd at Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. The 2005 team are in Chicago to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the run, Fox reported.

Back in June, The Archdiocese of Chicago celebrated Leo at the home of the White Sox. The first American pope shared a video message on the Jumbotron. 

“So many 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,” Leo said.

Leo was born in Chicago and became a missionary, spending much of his career in Peru as a minister. He was also the prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery of Bishops, starting in 2023 under Pope Francis. He was then promoted to cardinal-bishop in February by his predecessor.