Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Invites Pope Leo to Grant Park in Historic Vatican Meeting

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson traveled to Vatican City on Thursday and met privately with Pope Leo XIV, the first pope born in the United States. The mayor delivered a formal invitation asking the pontiff to come to Chicago in 2027 to celebrate Mass in Grant Park.

The meeting marks a homecoming for the pope, who grew up in south suburban Dolton. It also places Chicago at the center of a global conversation on war, immigration, and the legacy of slavery.

'How's Chicago?'

The two men sat alone in the Vatican Apostolic Library for more than 20 minutes before the pope welcomed a delegation of more than 40 Chicago leaders.

"How's Chicago?" That was the first thing Pope Leo XIV asked Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson when the two met in a private audience Thursday afternoon at the Vatican.

Johnson said the question felt pastoral and familiar.

"I was able to say that Chicago is strong and that we are transforming," Johnson said during a press conference at the American University in Rome. "He gave, I think, a great sort of pastoral nod, a pleasure to hear the incredible progress that we've made."

Johnson presented the pope with a Key to the City of Chicago. Previous recipients include Nelson Mandela, Herbie Hancock, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and Frank Sinatra.

"I said, 'Now I don't know how many keys you have to use for the Vatican, but there's only one key for Chicago.' And we were happy to give that to him," Johnson said.

A Grant Park invitation

The mayor's letter of invitation drew a direct comparison to Pope John Paul II's historic visit to Chicago in October 1979. The Polish pope celebrated Mass in Grant Park before a crowd of approximately 1.5 million people.

"October 5, 1979 is forever remembered as the most spiritually inspiring day in Chicago history," Johnson's letter read. "Your holiness, you were a young priest-in-training at the time. Perhaps you were there. Perhaps you would consider a repeat Papal visit nearly 50 years later to share your own message of hope, unity and service."

Guy Chipparoni, chairperson of Choose Chicago, the city's tourism and convention agency, said the pope appeared receptive to the idea.

"He was just smiling, and he said, 'I'd like to do that,'" Chipparoni said.

Johnson said he heard no hesitation from the pope about visiting the United States, despite speculation that Leo might delay a trip until after President Donald Trump leaves office.

"I didn't get any reticence about coming," Johnson said. "I didn't pick up on that. I think if anything, I picked up on the fact that he was blessed by our presence today."

Two leaders under fire

Both Johnson and Pope Leo have publicly criticized President Trump in recent months. The pope has condemned the war in Iran, called for peace in Gaza, and opposed the Trump administration's immigration policies.

Johnson said he thanked the pope for his moral stance on these issues.

"First of all, I thanked him for his courage," Johnson said. "I thanked him for his moral stance against these endless wars, and certainly talked about the vote that I took in City Council a couple of years ago, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the releasing of hostages and our continuous stance on ending these illegal wars."

The two men also discussed reparations and the lasting impact of slavery on Black communities in America and around the world.

"We exchanged appreciation for our stances in this moment, to speak to the most vulnerable, to talk to him about affordability and again, continuing to use his pulpit as I will use my pen, to bring justice to humanity," Johnson said.

A delegation of 46

The Chicago delegation included aldermen Julia Ramirez (12th), Lamont Robinson (4th), and Jason Ervin (28th), along with Ervin's wife and City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin. Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates, the Rev. Tanya Lozano Washington, and Rainbow Push Coalition President Yusef Jackson also attended.

Civil rights attorney Antonio Romanucci, who represents the family of Derek Jordan, a man killed by a Chicago police officer during a traffic chase in Humboldt Park in March, was also present.

The delegation presented the pope with roughly two dozen Chicago-themed gifts. Items included a Cubs jersey, two Cubs hats, a White Sox hat with an Italian flag, Frango Mints from Catholic Charities, honey from the Chicago Cultural Center roof, and the diplomas of the pope's parents from DePaul University.

Robert Manuel, president of DePaul University, became emotional during his brief meeting with the pope.

"He said, 'It's OK,' and that made me choke up even more," Manuel said. "I was expecting it to be way more formal and not as intimate and connected."

A pope speaks out on war

During his general audience on Wednesday in St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo criticized the United States' military actions in Iran, called for peace in Gaza, and expressed solidarity with Ukrainians.

"War never solves problems, but aggravates it," he said in Italian. "It does not build, but multiplies the sufferings of others. Where missiles and drones fall, hope also falls. It destroys houses and it destroys innocent lives."

Johnson said the meeting was a profoundly spiritual experience.

"When you come into the presence of someone of his magnitude, who walks and imbibes the spirit of our Lord and Savior, the moment that he said, 'Have a seat and join me' — it was just a peaceful exchange of comfort," Johnson said. "That's grace and the love that I felt from His holiness."