“The election of Pope Leo XIV is a momentous occasion for Chicago, the United States, and for the entire world.” Father Gregory Sakowicz is the Rector of Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral, a symbol of Catholicism in the city and the seat of the archdiocese. A focal point for thousands of worshippers, the cathedral is the beating heart of religious celebrations and pastoral activities. Father Sakowicz is still moved by the election of a son of the city after a long journey of faith and mission: “He knew he wanted to be a priest from his early school days at St Mary of the Assumption Parish on Chicago’s South Side. His parents, devout Catholics, encouraged him in his vocation. This is where his roots are, in that small corner of the community where he was raised and flourished.”
St. Mary of the Assumption Parish
St. Mary of the Assumption Parish is a historically significant Catholic parish in Chicago and a significant point of reference for the Catholic community of Chicago’s South Side. Established in 1886 in the Riverdale neighbourhood, it also included a Catholic elementary school attended by Robert Prevost himself. The school was originally managed by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and later by the Sisters of Christian Charity. Along with the church, the school constituted the heart of the community. Prevost sang in the choir and served as an altar boy, graduating in 1969. However, the school and parish were closed in 2011 and merged with the Queen of Apostles Church.
The congregation’s reaction to the announcement
When his election was announced, parishioners in the cathedral burst into exclamations of joy. “I was watching television at 11:15 a.m. Chicago time. I saw the white smoke, but we still didn’t know who the new Pope was. Then, during midday Mass, a woman from the parish came up to me at Communion and whispered,
“Father Greg, the new Pope is Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago. He has chosen the name Leo XIV”.
I made the announcement at the end of Mass, after which the entire congregation erupted into a heartfelt round of applause. Many of those in attendance were moved to tears.”
This emotional response quickly spread through the streets of Chicago. Worshippers gathered outside Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral to offer impromptu prayers and express their gratitude for a Pope who holds the city’s roots close to his heart. “We always felt he was special. He is one of us, and now he is our Pope, too,” said a parishioner who attended the celebration.
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The Pope’s ties with Chicago and his choice of name
The ties with Chicago run deep. However, Fr Sakowicz points out, the new Pope is now the shepherd of 1.5 billion Catholics worldwide. “The moment I heard the name Leo XIV, I understood its deep significance. In the years between 1878 and 1903, Pope Leo XIII indelibly marked history with his encyclical Rerum Novarum, a document of seminal importance on workers’ rights and social justice. The fact that Robert Prevost has chosen this name is certainly no coincidence.
His time spent with the poor in Peru will guide him during his pontificate. He will be a voice for the poor, for migrants, for human rights.”
The choice of name reminds us of an important moment in history. Pope Leo XIII is remembered for his forthright stance on social justice, he was a guiding light for the social doctrine of the Church. “Pope Leo XIV follows in his footsteps, directing his gaze towards the most vulnerable and marginalised,” Sakowicz remarked.
Anecdotes and passions: a Pope close to the people
A less known side of Leo XIV is linked to his passion for baseball, as evidenced by an anecdote. “In Chicago, there are two teams: the White Sox and the Cubs. One of the first questions people asked was whether he supported the Cubs or the White Sox. His brother John, who still lives on the South Side, knew the answer: ‘Our mother was a Cubs fan and our father was a St. Louis Cardinals fan, but my brother Robert was a die-hard White Sox fan.’ This detail, arguably more than any other, exemplifies his indissoluble bond with this city.”
Pope Leo XIV is prepared to lead the Church with the same spirit of service that distinguished him throughout his life: his gaze projected towards the world with his heart tied to his roots. A Pope for the whole world, but with Chicago always in his heart.
