Leo Takes John Paul’s Road Show to Spain

Letter to Romans: While in Spain, Pope Leo joked that also touring pop singer Bad Bunny would draw larger young audiences. Yet, the Pontiff knows the world-wide resurgence in all Christian faiths … rekindled 47 yrs ago by Pope John Paul … is irrepressible.

Verily, Pope Leo needn’t sweat. I haven’t forgotten how predecessor & the original holy rock star, John Paul, almost single-handedly chased the Soviets out of Czechoslovakia & helped tear down the Berlin Wall. Earlier, he had literally swept the City of Chicago & Capone’s old stomping grounds off its feet like never before in the Windy City’s history. I still recall joining 1.5 million worshippers celebrating his Grant Park mass on a cold fall October day in 1979. The massive lakefront park began filling up as early as 8 am & neared overflowing by noon. Fast forward to ex-Chicagoan Pope Leo’s humble understatement of his impending reception to reporters on the plane making its way to his week-long journey to Spain: "I think,” he said with a wink, "there will also be a few here to see the pope” as well as Bad Bunny.

Not that the road back to faith for the masses, especially among today’s youth, won’t have its bumps. Yet, according to the Fox News coverage, the pontiff also alluded to “signs of a spiritual awakening” among young adults in Spain & elsewhere & how they appear to be “searching for meaning.” Pope Leo, a seminarian at the time, undoubtedly had attended that revivalist 1979 Papal mass in Chicago; he surely saw first-hand the uplifting power of the papacy. Not surprisingly, then, he told the reporters he hoped his visit to Spain would similarly help “awaken” something in those who saw him. Believe it. And believe Leo won’t let Hammond, Indiana steal the Bears from Chicago, no matter how many billions of dollars it throws the team owners’ money-grubbing way. Amen.

Davd Soul