Pope Leo XIV is set to virtually appear at a huge event in Chicago on June 14, which happens to be the same day as Donald Trump’s birthday and a major military parade in Washington, D.C. Although the Pope won’t be there in person, he’ll deliver a message by video from Rome.
The gathering in Chicago, hosted at the White Sox baseball stadium, sold out quickly—over 20,000 people got tickets on the first day, and they were only \$5 each. The event will also be streamed online.
What’s getting a lot of attention is the timing. Some are calling it “counterprogramming” because the Pope’s event overlaps with Trump’s parade, which is being heavily promoted as a patriotic celebration of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. Critics say the military parade feels more like a show of power than a genuine tribute, especially since it includes tanks, helicopters, thousands of soldiers, horses, and even a dog and two mules. There’s concern about the cost, the disruption to Washington D.C., and even comparisons to authoritarian-style displays like those in North Korea.
At the same time, Pope Leo’s message is likely to include a strong call for compassion toward immigrants—something that has already put him at odds with Trump’s strict immigration policies. In his first speech to diplomats, Pope Leo emphasized the importance of respecting the dignity of migrants. He even pointed to his own family’s immigrant background and his time spent as a missionary to make his point. That message is clearly different from Trump’s promise to deport millions and ramp up immigration enforcement.
This contrast between the Pope and Trump is not new. Even the previous pope, Francis, publicly criticized Trump’s border wall plans. Pope Leo’s brother said recently that the Pope is “not happy” with what’s happening under Trump’s immigration rules and probably won’t stay silent about it.
So, on June 14, people will have two very different events to tune into—Trump’s massive military parade in D.C., and Pope Leo’s peaceful, spiritual message in Chicago. One is about power and patriotism; the other is about unity, compassion, and inclusion. Both are being broadcast widely, and both speak to very different visions of leadership and values in America right now.
