People of all denominations are talking about the white smoke that appeared. I first heard about it from a teammate at my day job. Then I witnessed the surprise for myself—a new pope from Chicago who speaks five languages stepped out to greet the world. Fresh from the conclave where he'd just been elected, Pope Leo XIV appeared calm, grounded, and ready to embrace the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
I rarely watch TV these days and hadn’t followed any news about the conclave. The media speculated on the frontrunners, but no one really knows how the decision is made. Those in the know often say that no matter where the new pope comes from, something changes in him the moment he steps into the role—just as it did with Peter, the first pope, hand-picked by Jesus over 2,000 years ago.
The first time I discovered my family’s roots in Tuscany, I felt drawn to Italy for a future vacation. Seeing the joy on the faces of the Italian people as they welcomed Pope Leo XIV warmed my heart. There’s something deeply moving about witnessing a moment that brings so many people together in hope and unity.
Of course, I have to admit—the only thing slightly terrifying about the new pope is that he’s a Cubs fan! That’s going to add some spice when they face off against my Padres. I’ll be keeping the faith, of course—but I sure hope he doesn’t pray too hard for Divine intervention during the playoffs!
Baseball is a hot topic in our household. Faith, family, and friendly rivalry—what more could you ask for?
Have a great day.
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