Pope Leo XIV sells out US event clashing with parade on Trump’s birthday

Within just 15 minutes of tickets becoming available, over 9,000 seats were requested for the Chicago gathering at Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the White Sox. By the end of the day, ticket requests had surged to 20,000, and by Friday, all $5 tickets had been sold.

The event will be streamed online, although CatholicTV has yet to confirm whether it will broadcast the proceedings.

A Clash in Messaging and Timing

Pope Leo’s participation—though virtual—is expected to draw widespread attention and may divert focus from the military parade in Washington, an event strongly supported by Trump. This contrast points growing political and cultural divides, particularly over immigration.

The pontiff, in one of his first global addresses, emphasized the dignity and rights of migrants—a position at odds with the Trump administration’s hardline immigration enforcement.

“My own story is that of a citizen, the descendant of immigrants, who in turn chose to emigrate,” Pope Leo said, speaking to diplomats at the Vatican. “Citizens and immigrants alike deserve dignity and protection.”

His remarks echo the sentiments of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who previously condemned Trump’s proposed border wall as “not Christian.” Pope Leo’s leadership appears poised to continue this advocacy for migrants, despite pushback from U.S. political figures.

Details of the Chicago and Washington Events

While the Pope will remain in Rome, his prerecorded message will be broadcast on large screens during the Chicago event, which will culminate in a Holy Mass led by Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago.

Simultaneously, the nation’s capital will host a sprawling military parade. According to The New York Times, the celebration will feature:

28 M1A1 Abrams tanks

28 Stryker armored vehicles

Over 100 other military vehicles

6,700 soldiers

50 helicopters

34 horses

Two mules and one dog

In preparation for the parade, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will close for several hours on June 14, disrupting over 100 flights.

Critics have denounced the parade as excessive and politically motivated. “It has a very Kim Jong Un vibe,” said political commentator John Heilemann. “The logistics will be a nightmare for D.C.—with street damage, traffic issues, and extended cleanup.”

Notably, the U.S. Army did not hold a similar celebration for its bicentennial in 1975.

Symbolic Counterprogramming?

Political observers have noted the timing and contrasting tones of the two events. “It’s textbook counterprogramming,” MSNBC’s Jonathan Lemire said, pointing out the visual and ideological clash between a papal mass and a military spectacle.

Heilemann added that both events, for most Americans, would be consumed via television—turning them into competing broadcasts representing starkly different values.

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Looking Ahead

The gates at Chicago’s Guaranteed Rate Field will open at 12:30 p.m. on June 14, with programming beginning at 2:30 p.m. and Mass at 4 p.m. While Chicago’s event is sold out, tickets for the military parade in Washington are still available.

The Pope’s involvement—however brief and remote—is expected to generate strong reactions and may reignite debate over the intersection of faith, politics and immigration policy.