Pope Leo to Deliver Address at ALS Walk for Life, Endorsing a Chicago Priest Struggling with the Condition
The Les Turner ALS Walk for Life, scheduled to take place at Soldier Field in 2025, is more than just a charity event. It's a beacon of hope and community for those affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a debilitating neurological disease.
Organized by the Les Turner ALS Foundation, this annual event aims to raise funds for ALS care and research. One of the participants, Father Jim Halstead, a retired area priest, is living with ALS and is being supported by the foundation.
Father Jim, who spent 49 years in priesthood and taught in the religious studies department at DePaul for 40 years, described the event as a source of goodness and care. He emphasized the importance of unity, positivity, and community, sentiments that resonate with the Pope's message.
In a remarkable turn of events, Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost), who was elected in May 2025, agreed to deliver a special message at the event. The message, approximately 5-and-a-half minutes long, is expected to bring a unique sense of hope and inspiration to the participants.
Michelle Shaker, a clinical social worker with the Les Turner ALS Foundation, expressed her gratitude for the Pope's message, which she described as one of hope and community.
Father Jim and Pope Leo share a common bond, as they are both members of the Augustinian Order. In July, Father Jim emailed Pope Leo, asking him to share a message at the Les Turner ALS Walk for Life.
The 2025 ALS Walk for Life promises to be a joyous day, bringing people together and providing a much-needed moment of positivity in the current climate. It's more than just a walk; it's a testament to the power of community and the indomitable spirit of those affected by ALS.
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