Chicagoans invited to celebrate Pope Leo XIV at Rate Field in June

Pope Leo's brother speaks out after historic election

John Prevost, brother of Pope Leo XIV, spoke with FOX 32 on Thursday evening, sharing his pride and reflecting on his brother’s historic election.

CHICAGO - The Archdiocese of Chicago is holding a citywide gathering and mass to celebrate the election of Chicago-native Pope Leo XIV on June 14.

The gates will open at Rate Field at 12:30 p.m. The program will start at 2:30 p.m., followed by a Catholic mass at 4 p.m.

What we know:

The program will feature a Catholic mass, music, prayer and in-person testimonials at the Chicago White Sox's Rate Field.

In a video message, Cardinal Blase Cupich invited Chicagoans to join the celebration and stay tuned for more information on the diocese's YouTube page.

Tickets are expected to go on sale on May 29. Tickets can be purchased on the diocese's website.

Message from Cardinal Cupich:

The backstory:

Born Robert Prevost, the newly-elected pope is the first American-born pontiff. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University in 1977 before taking his solemn vows and studying theology at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago in 1982.

John Prevost, brother of Pope Leo XIV, spoke with FOX 32 about sharing his pride and reflecting on his brother’s historic election.

"There are no words. It's overwhelming pride, but it's also overwhelming responsibility being the first American pope, from Chicago, and a relative," he said.