At 1 p.m., social media started blowing up with videos and photos of the crowds at Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the White Sox. I hopped on the Red Line at 1:20 p.m., and 45 minutes later I was at 35th Street. The first familiar face I saw was Lucien. We greeted each other warmly, and he shared the beautiful story of his vocation with me. It was so moving to hear how God is working in his life, right at the beginning of this historic day. That feeling—when the entire train empties out with you, and you realize we’re all going to the same place, to the same event, to celebrate Pope Leo XIV—was incredible.
I began seeing familiar faces one after another—so many friends were there. Everyone was excited to experience something truly unique. Yet I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that we have a Pope from Chicago!
I brought “only” two cameras and three lenses, since the White Sox don’t allow any camera bags. (It took me 5 min to go through security :)). Thanks to my media pass from the Catholic Media Association, I was allowed right onto the field. I met a few people from the “big media,” but I knew why I was there: to do my job—to capture the Catholic Faith.
We heard from Chuck Swirsky, Cardinal Cupich, and two special guests: Sr. Simon Gordon, who was Pope Leo’s former teacher, and Fr. John Merkelis, one of his close friends.
It was surreal to hear their stories and learn more about Pope Leo through the eyes of those who know him personally. But even more powerful was seeing a video message recorded by the Pope himself—specifically for Chicagoans!
Graces are coming our way.
Let’s receive them.
Let’s use them—for the glory of God!
