Block Club Chicago’s first international reporting trip to Vatican City included coverage of Pope Leo XIV, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and several Chicagoans, according to a May 29 report.
The reporting team documented a series of events in Vatican City and Rome. Highlights included images of Pope Leo XIV riding the popemobile before his general audience at St. Peter’s Square on May 27, magnets adorned with the pope sold near the Vatican, and Alderman Jason Ervin exiting after Mayor Johnson’s meeting with the pope on May 28. Other moments captured were Ed and Nicole Collins posing for a portrait before the papal audience, as well as tourists from Chicago waving flags during the event.
Mayor Johnson was photographed interacting with tourists who recognized him at St. Peter’s Square ahead of his meeting with Pope Leo XIV. Adriana and Bob Ashton, former Chicago residents, were seen wearing White Sox gear before attending the general audience. Lorenza Bonaccorsi, President of Municipio I in Rome, addressed members of Mayor Johnson’s delegation during their tour of Piazza Pia on May 27.
Additional photographs featured scenes such as crowds gathering for the papal address at St. Peter’s Square; Denise Hughes holding a Chicago flag; Emma from France holding her rosary while wearing her wedding gown; Craig from the United Kingdom sporting a Chicago Bulls shirt; Dave Hughes donning a White Sox hat; and various members of Mayor Johnson’s delegation touring notable sites in Rome.
Aldermen Lamont Robinson (4th), Julia Ramirez (12th), Jason Ervin (28th), along with Mayor Brandon Johnson, discussed their meeting with Pope Leo XIV while at American University in Rome on May 28. The coverage also showed people spending time outside Saint Peter’s Square both before and after major events.
