On the same day Donald Trump hosted a $45 million military parade for his 79th birthday, Pope Leo XIV delivered a contrasting message of hope from Chicago’s White Sox stadium. The pope, a South Side native and White Sox fan, addressed young people in a pre-recorded speech, acknowledging pandemic-era struggles like anxiety and loneliness. He urged unity and service, stating, *”We have to look beyond our egotistical ways to promote hope,”* in what some interpreted as a subtle critique of Trump’s militaristic display.
While Trump boasted of U.S. military strength to a massive crowd, Pope Leo emphasized peace and community, encouraging attendees to seek solace in faith. The event drew protesters branding Trump’s parade as “wasteful and un-American,” highlighting the stark divide between the two leaders’ visions. The pope’s call for compassion stood in sharp relief against the president’s show of force.
