Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called his meeting with Pope Leo XIV “a tremendous honor,” referring to himself as “someone who has relied upon my faith to guide me in decisions that I make, and even when those decisions are not always as well received.”

In May 2025, Robert Francis Prevost — born in Bronzeville and raised in south suburban Dolton — was chosen as the 267th pope and leader of an estimated 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. His affinity for Aurelio’s Pizza and cheering on the White Sox, Bulls and Bears has since stirred a fresh wave of hometown pride in Chicago.

Johnson presented Pope Leo with a key to the City of Chicago and an invitation to deliver mass at Grant Park.

Here’s what else the 46-member delegation brought to the Chicago-born pope.

—White Sox hat with the Italian Flag and JP Graziano giardiniera (2 hot, 2 mild) from team ownership

—“Immigrants Make America Greater” hat from the Chicago sister cities international program

—The pope’s parents’ DePaul University diplomas from President Robert Manuel

—Pope Leo Cubs jersey and two Cubs hats from the organization

—Chicago flag, White Sox hat with the Italian flag, Chicago tote bag and ceremonial Chicago street sign from the City of Chicago

—Honey from the Chicago Cultural Center roof from DCASE

—Brass tray with the Chicago lakefront etchings, 3 Chicago flag field notes and World Business Chicago tote bag from the City of Chicago and World Business Chicago

—Two “Everything dope including the pope comes from Chicago” T-shirts from Sherman “Dilla” Thomas

—Cornerstones book and a poster of stained glass from M.A.A.F.A Redemption Project Church and Rev. Dr. Marshall E. Hatch Sr.

—Letters from parishioners at St. Benedict the African in Englewood, written by a 5-year-old, 9-year-old and their mom

—Frango Mints from Catholic Charities

—Hat and jersey from the Chicago Sky

—Hat from DePaul University

—Letters from families of detained immigrants

—Hat from Loyola University

—"Bloodworks" by Bishop Horace Smith, MD

—United Airlines plane from United Airlines

—Southwest community ICE watch pin

—Sanctuary city pin

—Resisting tyrants since pharaoh and White Sox kippah, and White Sox pope T-shirt from Mishkan Chicago

—Silver dove necklace representing peace, an image of the Eucharist procession in Broadview and notes from families detained by ICE from Coalition Front Spiritual and Public Leadership

—“I am somebody sweatshirt” from Keep Hope Alive/Rainbow Push

—Union strike pin in a silver box, books and a letter from St. Mary’s College

—“The Legacies of Sr. Madeleva Wolff, CSC” edited by Jessica Coblentz and Susan Mancino

—“Saint Mary’s College” by Amanda Divine and Colin-Elizabeth

—“God Bless the Westside” T-shirt from Alderman Ervin

—“Operation Breadbasket: An Untold Story of Civil Rights in Chicago” by Martin L. Deppe

—“Keeping Hope Alive: Sermons and Speeches of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.,” edited by Grace Ji-Sun Kim

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