Another year of wild Chicago happenings is coming to an end. From Chicago’s Pope to hot dog giveaways, here’s a look back at some of the 2025 headlines that could only happen in the Windy City.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Da Pope” makes history<\/strong><\/p>\n Pope Leo XIV<\/a>\u00a0made history as the first American pope, and of course, his roots are in Chicago.<\/p>\n The internet wasted no time with “Da Pope” jokes and memes for the Dolton native. Of course, the big question arose: Is the Pope a Cubs fan or a White Sox fan? <\/p>\n Pope Leo’s brother<\/a>, who quickly gained fame in the city, confirmed he had been a White Sox fan since they were altar boys growing up in Dolton. <\/p>\n After learning the pope’s brother had settled the debate, the White Sox were quick to share the news on the scoreboard at Rate Field, mocking their North Side counterparts: “Hey Chicago, He’s a Sox fan!” \u00a0<\/p>\n John Stamos trolls Riot Fest\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Ahead of Riot Fest in September, John Stamos\u00a0made a list of demands “begrudgingly” to perform with the Beach Boys<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Some of the demands included:<\/p>\n Luckily, the demands were met,\u00a0even the tattoo<\/a>, and Stamos\u00a0took the stage<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Hot dog! Wieners Circle’s 2025 giveaways\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n In September, Chicago’s iconic Wieners Circle passed out more than 2,000 free Chicago-style dogs after the\u00a0Bears beat the Dallas Cowboys<\/a>.<\/p>\n The hot dog stand tweeted: “If Caleb throws 4 tds on Sunday, we will give away free hot dogs on Tuesday.” \u00a0Williams did just that.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Wieners Circle keeps promise, hands out free Chicago-style hot dogs<\/p>\n 02:40<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n In December, The Wieners Circle offered free hot dogs if head coach Ben Johnson took his shirt off after any Bears victory this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Luckily, Chicagoans got another free dog after\u00a0Johnson stripped off his shirt in the jubilant visiting team’s locker room<\/a>\u00a0in Philadelphia after a 24-15 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles.\u00a0<\/p>\n All eyes on the northern lights<\/strong><\/p>\n In November, the northern lights<\/a> were visible across the Chicago area.\u00a0<\/p>\n Social media feeds were filled with snapshots of the green and pinkish-red skies.\u00a0<\/p>\n GALLERY:\u00a0Chicago area bathed in northern lights<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Experts said a severe geomagnetic storm watch was in effect, bringing a recent burst of solar energy from the sun. This produced brighter and more colorful aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights.<\/p>\n Silly goose spotting\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n In April, the iconic Wrigley Field bleachers welcomed a goose<\/a> during the Chicago Cubs’ series against the San Diego Padres.\u00a0<\/p>\n Photos on social media showed the goose nesting in a juniper planter underneath the scoreboard. Several rows of the upper bleachers were blocked off from fans while two Canada geese stood on a roof nearby.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fans snapped photos, and the Cubs’ communication director responded by saying, “At the Friendly Confines, we truly mean it when we say everyone’s welcome, including the goose…”\u00a0<\/p>\n Leo High School takes the national stage\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n After an incredible run, Chicago’s Leo High School choir took fourth place on “America’s Got Talent.” Chicagoans joined the Leo High School community in celebrating their success and voting each week.\u00a0<\/p>\n Simon Cowell left the choir with some parting words.\u00a0<\/p>\n “You’re going to inspire so many people,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Leo High School finishes in 4th of AGT finale<\/p>\n 02:21<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Their melodic harmony first caught the attention of\u00a0CBS News Chicago’s Audrina Sinclair<\/a>\u00a0more than a year ago during a morning news School Spotlight.<\/p>\n “Audrina put us on the map!” said Leo principal Shaka Rawls.<\/p>\n Sinclair posted the choir on Instagram with the caption, “So inspired by the young gentlemen at Leo High School! Such an amazing morning for our CBS Chicago School Spotlight!”<\/p>\n John Mulaney will play Wrigley Field<\/strong><\/p>\n Comedian John Mulaney announced his\u00a0historic Wrigley Field tour stop<\/a>\u00a0this year as fans look ahead to 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Chicago native will be he first comedian to headline a show at the Friendly Confines.<\/p>\n Mulaney is bringing his “Mister Whatever” tour to Wrigley on July 11. Tickets went on sale in October.\u00a0<\/p>\n Rare dust storm sweeps across city\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n In May, Chicago was hit with a historic\u00a0dust storm<\/a>.<\/p>\n The dust blanketed downtown Chicago, leaving people with dust-covered cars and viral social media videos.\u00a0<\/p>\n CBS News Chicago learned the dust was windblown from farm fields in Central Illinois<\/a>. Video shot by University of Illinois Extension farm management educator Kevin Brooks along Interstate 74 downstate showed motorists cautiously pulling over before driving into near-blackout conditions. \u00a0<\/p>\n It’s a… squirrel?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Chicago’s “rat hole” became a\u00a0viral sensation<\/a>\u00a0in the early months of 2024. However,\u00a0new research this year revealed\u00a0<\/a>it was probably made by a different rodent.<\/p>\n\n