Pope Leo addressed the United States for the first time, sending a powerful message on the same day that Donald Trump hosted a $45 million military parade.

On Saturday (June 14), President Donald Trump marked his 79th birthday with a massive historic military march through Washington, DC.

The military’s force was on full show in the parade, with tanks and aircraft spanning decades, parachuters from the sky, and more than 6,000 uniformed troops patrolling across the city in the first of its sort since the conclusion of the Gulf War in 1991.

Now, Pope Leo XIV addressed the country in an unorthodox manner—from the Chicago White Sox stadium—with a message that seemed to reject the $45 million event.

Supporters of the head of the Roman Catholic Church came to Rate Field baseball stadium, where the pope previously played as a South Side kid and White Sox fan, to hear his first message to North America.

The Vatican’s pre-recorded speech was designed to honor his Chicago origins while also providing comfort to young people.

Pope Leo addressed the difficulties that young people have had during and following the COVID-19 epidemic, stating that it has caused “moments of anxiety, loneliness, depression, and sadness.”

He encouraged individuals from the field to visit local churches where they may ‘find the love of God is actually healing.’

“You represent the promise of hope for so many of us. “The world looks to you, and we need you,” he stated.

Then, in what some may see as a jab at the president’s military parade, he added, “We must look beyond our egotistical ways to promote hope.”

“That light … on the horizon is difficult to see, and yet as we grow in our unity, we can discover that light growing brighter and brighter, and we can become that message of hope to promote peace and unity throughout the world,” Leo told the crowd.

He finished by inviting people to ‘do something in our own lives to serve one another.’

“In that service to others … we may find the true meaning in our life,” stated the man.

The message of optimism contrasts sharply with the president’s eight-minute speech, during which he bragged of the US army’s military superiority to an alleged 250,000-strong throng.

Trump stated, in part, “Every other country celebrates their successes. It’s imperative that America adopts a similar approach.

“We’re the hottest country in the world right now,” he said. “If you threaten the American people, our soldiers are coming for you.”

Protesters also targeted the gathering, purposefully clashing with the celebration.

The ‘No Kings’ protesters said they did so to ‘create a sharp contrast between our people-powered campaign and the extravagant, wasteful, and un-American birthday celebration in Washington.’