Want to learn more about the early life of Pope Leo XIV? You’re in luck, thanks to a new short video from Spirit Juice Studios.
You’re probably familiar with fan-favorite Spirit Juice, the Emmy Award-winning creative production firm specializing in the transformative power of visual media merged with the ever ancient, ever new beauty of Catholicism. But you might now know that they’re based on the South Side of Chicago, now best known as the hometown of Pope Leo XIV.
Spirit Juice released a new 9-minute short film in celebration of his papal inauguration. President and CEO Rob Kaczmark — who lives minutes from the Pope’s childhood home — leads viewers on a quick but exciting and fun tour of the landmarks that shaped young Robert Prevost on his eventual road to the papacy.
Watch the video here:
Kaczmark shares the following sites:
- Pope Leo’s childhood home
- The parish his family attended when he was a child, which sadly is now closed
- The school where he taught math
- The White Sox Stadium, Guaranteed Rate Field (most locals still call it Comiskey Park), where Pope Leo attended a World Series game
- The Pope’s favorite local pizza joint, which recently unveiled the “Pope-a-roni” pizza in his honor and is saving him a special seat for his next visit
Like many Chicagoans (myself included), Kaczmark is in somewhat of a state of shock that the new pope is from here. That shock naturally brings awe at how God works, and wonder about how He might be calling each of us.
“I’m still in awe of the fact that Pope Leo is from here. He’s one of us,” Kaczmark said. “No matter where you’re from, God can use you. You just have to be open to his call.”
As Kaczmark grew up very near Dolton, the pope’s childhood hometown, he has an inside perspective on what his early life was like. He shares many fun local details to give a full picture of the pope’s background.
The video is great for the whole family, so gather the kids and watch it together. And if you’re local, maybe trek out to Dolton and Aurelio’s Pizza some time soon, to learn more about our new pope and enjoy a Chicago-style slice in his honor.
