Mayor Brandon Johnson arrived at St. Peter’s Square on May 28, where he was recognized by a group of Chicago tourists before proceeding into the Vatican with members of his delegation, including Alderman Jason Ervin. Johnson is in Rome for a meeting with Pope Leo XIV and brought a gift chest filled with items representing Chicago, along with an invitation for the pope to conduct Mass in Grant Park.
The contents of the goodie bag included a Key to the City of Chicago, various hats and jerseys from local sports teams, honey from the Chicago Cultural Center roof, books authored by local figures, and letters from parishioners and families. Other notable items were memorabilia from DePaul University, Frango Mints from Catholic Charities, apparel promoting unity and hope, pins supporting sanctuary city policies and labor unions, as well as symbolic jewelry.
Johnson said he planned to express gratitude on behalf of Chicagoans for Pope Leo’s leadership. The two leaders also intended to discuss recent stances taken by the pope against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and on issues such as artificial intelligence regulation and an apology regarding the Catholic Church’s role in slavery—topics highlighted in his first encyclical this week.
Shermann “Dilla” Thomas expressed appreciation that his T-shirt was included among the gifts: “I am very, very honored that the city would include my T-shirt in the gift bag to the pope,” Thomas told Block Club Wednesday. “And I hope that the T-shirt symbolizes our pride.” He added that having someone who leads so many people should be a source of pride for all residents regardless of religious affiliation.
During his general audience earlier in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo—the first U.S.-born pontiff—spoke out against war efforts involving Iran and called for peace initiatives regarding Gaza and Ukraine. “War never solves problems but aggravates them,” he said in Italian. “It does not build but multiplies the sufferings of others… It destroys houses and it destroys innocent lives.” Johnson previously said Pope Leo has “elevated the consciousness of the globe around his position… around our collective humanity.”
The mayor’s private meeting with Pope Leo will take place Thursday in the Vatican Apostolic Library before hosting a delegation comprising 46 representatives from political, business, religious, labor, and hospitality sectors across Chicago.
