Pope Leo, a native of Chicago's south side and a long-time fan of his beloved but beleaguered White Sox, sent a video message on Saturday to a sellout crowd attending Catholic Mass in his honor at their hometown ballpark.

Rate Field hosted a special mass and celebration in honor of Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope and a confirmed White Sox fan.

CHICAGO (RNS) — At Rate Field, the home of the Chicago White Sox, some 30,000 celebrated a native son, Pope Leo XIV, Saturday afternoon (June 14) at a Mass organized by the Archdiocese of Chicago. Leo appeared via video from Rome, in a prerecorded message encouraging young people to engage in the community of the church.