🕊️ #OnThisDay in Catholic History | July 9, 2025
One year ago today, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the very first Mass "for the care of creation" — and the vestments he wore were handmade in his hometown of Chicago.
The historic liturgy took place at the Laudato Si' Village (Borgo Laudato Si') in Castel Gandolfo, Italy — an ecological education center established by Pope Francis and named for his 2015 encyclical on environmental stewardship.
Pope Leo wore a deep green brocade chasuble crafted by the House of Hansen, a Chicago institution since 1908. Owner Gerard Arens had the pope's measurements on file — the then-Cardinal Prevost had visited the shop about a year and a half before his election, mentioning he was headed to Rome to be made a cardinal.
"I couldn't believe when he walked out on the balcony," Arens told OSV News. "He's a customer of ours. We've known him."
The vestments were hand-sewn by a team of 10 seamstresses and tailors, Vatican-approved, and personally couriered to Rome by a priest — because, as Arens quipped, "I wouldn't want to rely on FedEx for that."
🌿 Faith. Creation. Chicago craftsmanship. All woven together.
📖 Read the full story: https://catholicreview.org/pope-leo-wears-chicago-made-vestments-to-july-9-care-of-creation-mass/
#PopeLeoXIV #CareOfCreation #LaudatoSi #CatholicHistory #OnThisDay #HouseOfHansen #Chicago #CatholicFaith

Archbishop William E. Lori will offer a funeral Mass for Father Logue July 20 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows, with a viewing preceding the liturgy at 10 a.m. A reception will be held in the parish hall.