Trigger Warning: This article mentions details about sexual abuse. Reader discretion is advised.
It’s been nearly a month since Pope Leo became the new bishop of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025, following Pope Francis’ death on April 21. The 69-year-old took the papal name Leo XIV and reportedly has a progressive approach and seems to be deeply rooted in the traditions.
The first American pope, who delivers Mass in English while catching a baseball during a parade, Pope Francis’ successor is quickly gaining a reputation for shaking things up. In his first public remark, Pope Leo XIV called for unity. He said, “We have to be a church that works together to build bridges and to keep our arms open, like this very piazza, welcoming.”
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As per the outlet Tyla, the newest Pope is all set to mesmerize everyone with his new ideologies and charisma as he will deliver a special video message to young people across the world during a Mass held in Chicago on June 14, 2025, the same day as Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and the multimillion-dollar military parade to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary.
The Mass, set to take place at Guaranteed Rate Field (home of the Pope’s favorite team, the Chicago White Sox), marks the Pope’s first public greeting to the city since his election. It will be led by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich and is expected to witness a lot of people in attendance.
Several people took the overlapping of so many events together as a sign that made them ask the question: Is Pope Leo intentionally trying to overshadow and mock Trump? One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Is the Pope trying to embarrass Trump? Pope Leo will be celebrating Mass in Chicago on the same day as Trump’s birthday military parade. The crowd in Chicago is expected to top 1 million — way more than the parade.”
Another added, Pope Leo is addressing the youth virtually while organizing a huge Mass in Chicago… on Trump’s birthday, right during his parade.” A third user said, “Pope Leo scheduled his appearance at the exact same time as Trump’s military parade. That’s some top-tier trolling.”
Amidst all the speculation by people who claimed that Pope Leo allegedly tried to subtly mock Trump by keeping the same date as the highly publicized parade and Donald Trump’s birthday in Washington, D.C., one user seemed nice enough to point out in his update that Pope Leo wasn’t the one who chose the date of his public speech.
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The commenter clarified, “Surely someone’s pointed this out already — but Pope Leo didn’t choose the date himself. It was organized by the Archdiocese of Chicago, and he’s only offering a video message.”
Interestingly, much like Trump, Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, also has a controversial background. Allegations suggest the newly appointed pope ignored sexual abuse claims involving two priests during his time in Chiclayo, Peru. The abuse, revealed by survivor Ana María Quispe Díaz on TikTok in 2020, detailed years of trauma inflicted on her and her sisters by clergy members.
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Ana María Quispe Díaz, along with her two sisters, Juana Mercedes and Aura Teresa, was the victim of an alleged heinous crime during Catholic missionary trips as a child. However, the Vatican later dismissed the case, even after one priest admitted guilt. While the victims courageously spoke out, Bishop Prevost (now Pope Leo), one of the people meant to protect them, stayed silent.
Instead of taking action, he ignored the accusations. Although the diocese under his leadership promised support, it failed to follow through. We are yet to see how Pope Leo uses this new opportunity to carve out his legacy as the new bishop of the Vatican, as well as maintain his relationship with radical global leaders like President Donald Trump.
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