As we party like it's 1818 all over again, I shine the spotlight on one of the most prominent native sons of Illinois who has now wound up at the Vatican: Pope Leo XIV (#1).
He was born Robert Prevost at Mercy Hospital (#2) in Chicago. He grew up in Dolton (#3) at a home (#4) on 141st Place. He attended St. Mary of the Assumption Church (#5) in nearby Riverdale (#6), which is now part of Christ our Savior Parish (#7) in South Holland (#8).
He had teaching roles at Mendel Catholic Prep High School (#9) and St. Rita of Cascia High School (#10).
For a time, he served in leadership roles in the Augustinian Province of "Mother of Good Counsel" in Olympia Fields, IL (#11).
He greatly enjoys Aurelio's Pizza (#12). In the two years before his election as Pope, he went to the Homewood Aurelio's (#13) with a group. The room where he ate now has a special display for him, including a Pope's chair, (#14) and the restaurant serves Poperoni pizza (#15), featuring his favorite topping, pepperoni.
By the way, as an aside, I have to note the wonderful viewing platform (#16) near Aurelio's in Homewood, which is a great place to watch the trains pass.
The Archdiocese of Chicago hosted a special celebration for Pope Leo XIV (#17) at Guaranteed Rate Field on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Among the performers was the Leo High School Choir (#18), who made it to the finals of America's Got Talent. On June 14, they sang, "Every Praise is to Our God".
Also present was a group of students from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy who did a mock conclave (#19).
The emcee of the event was Chuck Swirsky (#20), an announcer for the Chicago Bulls and a Holy Name Cathedral parishioner.
At the event, Pope Leo XIV gave his first address to a US audience (#21), which was an incredible experience to witness, and say, "I was there". (You can read more about my attendance at the June 14, my visit to the sites of his life in the South Suburbs, and some of my thoughts on Pope Leo XIV in general in this post I made on his birthday.)
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| Here's Pope Leo XIV as his address is broadcast in Guaranteed Rate Field. |
Yes, celebrating Illinois's Statehood on its birthday touch has extra exuberance as we celebrate Robert Prevost's journey to the Chair of St. Peter as Pope Leo XIV, and marvel at the places that shaped him that are here in Illinois.
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