Pope Leo also extended an invitation to join this Holy Year to the cheering crowd, which quieted down, eyes to the video monitors across the field. “In this Jubilee Year of Hope, Christ, who is our hope, indeed calls all of us to come together, that we might be that true living example: the light of hope in the world today,” he said.

In the moment, the man who will go on to become the most recognizable religious leader in the world looks nervous. He looks as though even his considerable faith can be tested by the whims of his favorite baseball team.

Pope Leo plans to give a virtual address in his hometown of Chicago – at the same time as Trump’s military parade - Tickets for the event, which is to be held at the Rate Field stadium, home of the Chicago White Sox (the pontiff’s favorite team),

One would think lawmakers would have wanted to move quickly on such an accolade with an Illinoisan named the Bishop of Rome.