Pope Leo XIV decried escalating violence around the world, spotlighting attacks against Christian communities and calling for peace and justice in conflict-ridden areas.

Pope Leo XIV delivered this video message to a celebration in Chicago on Saturday: POPE LEO XIV: My dear friends, it's a pleasure for me to greet all of you gathered together at White Sox Park on this great celebration as a community of faith in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Pope Leo XIV spoke directly to the young people scattered throughout the audience at Rate Field Saturday afternoon, telling them that they are the “promise of hope” and that the world looks to them to help spread a message of peace and harmony among all people.

The Holy Father asked for the intercession of Our Lady, Queen of Peace before praying his first Angelus in the square in Latin and urging his listeners to pray for the end of conflicts in different parts of the world.

Pope Leo XIV emphasized that sport promotes peace because it teaches respect and fairness. He called on the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square to uphold these values and re