ROME (AP) - Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson extended an invitation to Pope Leo XIV during a private meeting at the Vatican on Thursday, expressing hopes for a potential visit to his native Chicago next year. The invitation aims to commemorate the nearly 50th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's historic visit, which took place on October 5, 1979. This event is remembered as "the most spiritually inspiring day in Chicago history," according to Johnson.
In a personal letter handed to Pope Leo XIV, Johnson highlighted the significance of the original Papal visit. He noted that the current Pope was a young priest-in-training at that time and suggested that he might consider making a similar trip to Chicago to share his own messages of hope, unity, and service. Mayor Johnson proposed that Pope Leo XIV celebrate Mass in Grant Park in 2027, emphasizing the fact that Chicago hosts one of the largest Catholic populations in the United States.
This invitation to the Pope marks at least the second formal request for a visit to the United States since his election. U.S. Vice President JD Vance also invited Pope Leo XIV shortly after his ascension to the Papacy in May 2025. The invitation reflects the Pope’s ties to Chicago; he was born Robert Prevost in 1955 in the Bronzeville neighborhood of the South Side. He spent his formative years in the nearby suburb of Dolton and attended Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption, where he also completed his elementary education.
Pope Leo XIV pursued theological studies at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago, located in Hyde Park, where he later contributed as an educator in local Catholic schools. His deep-rooted connections to the area make a visit to Chicago particularly meaningful, as he could reconnect with a city that shaped his early faith and career.
With this invitation, Mayor Johnson not only aims to honor the legacy of past Papal visits but also to embrace the enduring spirit of Catholicism within Chicago. The proposed event in Grant Park would not only serve as a spiritual gathering but would also symbolize unity and communal resilience as the city continues to grow and evolve.
As Chicago positions itself for this potential visit, the anticipation builds among citizens, especially among the large Catholic community that holds significant reverence for the Papacy. The invite underscores the importance of dialogue and connection between religious leadership and local communities, celebrating shared values and aspirations.
