Events celebrate 1 year since elevation of Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV as pontiff

DOLTON, Ill. (WLS) -- Friday marked one year since Pope Leo XIV became pontiff. Pope Leo spent the morning in Pompei, Italy, greeting the faithful.

Among the parishioners at a special Mass Friday evening at St. Jude Catholic Church in New Lenox was Pope Leo's brother. He said it's been a "year of experiences" and that he spoke with his sibling and wished him well on this remarkable anniversary.

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Affectionately known as "Chicago's pope," his election remains a source of pride for his hometown.

There were many events marking the anniversary of the elevation of the first American-born pope. He's a proud Chicagoan and a son of the South Side.

There was a special pilgrimage Friday to celebrate his anniversary where people will visit Pope Leo's childhood parish and his childhood home in Dolton, which is now a historical landmark.

Michael Canaris is an Associate Professor at Loyola and an expert on the pope and papal history.

It was led by a group called the Pope Leo XIV American Legacy Foundation.

The day began at Christ Our Savior Church with a Mass at 8:30 a.m. in South Holland.

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Pope Leo's papacy emphasizes unity, community, and truth as an Augustinian. He's spent much of the past year focusing on peace and unity.

He also made some influential picks for the U.S. church in his first year, including naming former Joliet Bishop Ron Hicks as the Archbishop of New York.

His background here in Chicago include the time Pope Leo studied at the Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park.

He taught at St. Rita High School and is an honorary alumnus there.

And of course, he is also a very proud Chicago White Sox fan.