A group of 50 pilgrims from the South Side of Chicago received a grace Catholics lining up for one of Pope Leo XIV’s Wednesday General Audiences could only dream about: a personal encounter with the Chicago-born pope in St. Peter’s Square.
Known as the “White Sox Parish” because of its proximity to the baseball team’s Rate Field stadium, the Nativity of Our Lord and St. Gabriel parish community easily pinged Pope Leo’s Chicago radar — even 5,000 miles away in Vatican City.
With clever signs, the shouts and chants, and a few hints from Pope Leo’s brother about just the right gifts to bring from Chicago’s Fannie May Chocolates, the 50 pilgrims — 40 from Chicago and 10 friends from New York City — managed to catch “Father Bob’s” attention from the popemobile.
During the livestream of the General Audience, available on EWTN News’ YouTube channel, Pope Leo can be seen leaning toward his secretaries and indicating the group from “St. Gabe’s,” the parish school where his brother John Prevost once served as principal.
“We’ve got some candy for you,” their Deacon Rob Morris shouted.
One by one, gifts for Pope Leo were passed toward the Holy Father’s security detail.
Then another name came from the
