Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson met privately with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on May 28, offering a rare opportunity for the mayor of the Holy Father’s hometown to speak directly with the first American-born pope.
According to LifeSiteNews, Johnson said the conversation focused on immigration enforcement in Chicago, the legacy of slavery, and ongoing international conflicts. The mayor also extended an invitation for Pope Leo to return to Chicago and celebrate Mass in Grant Park.
Following the meeting, Johnson told reporters that immigration was a major topic of discussion. According to LifeSiteNews, he said Pope Leo “wanted to know how ICE impacted our city and whether there were still examples of ICE raids happening in our city.”
Johnson explained that he shared details about local efforts to assist immigrant families and discussed executive actions his administration has taken. “I talked about how our rapid response community team came together to support families,” he said. “I talked about my executive orders, for which he was very gracious and encouraging, especially those I signed to protect the people of Chicago,” according to LifeSiteNews.
The Vatican has not released details about the private audience, and no official summary of the conversation has been made public.
Johnson also said he spoke with Pope Leo about the effects of slavery and the question of reparations. According to LifeSiteNews, the mayor said, “We talked about the conditions that the long legacy of slavery and disinvestment has had on Black Americans and Black people around the world.”
He added, “I engaged in a conversation with him around reparations and why it is important to work to repair the harm caused by the brutal legacy of slavery.” Johnson noted that the Pope did not take a position on reparations during their discussion.
The issue of slavery has recently drawn renewed attention following Pope Leo’s first encyclical, which reflected on historical injustices and the dignity of every human person. At the same time, many Catholic historians have emphasized the Church’s long record of opposing slavery, pointing to actions taken by figures such as Saint Patrick and several popes who condemned the practice centuries before its abolition in many parts of the world.
International conflict was another topic raised during the audience. Johnson told reporters that war leaves behind a “trail of tears and trauma” and that it “harms and brutalize our humanity,” according to LifeSiteNews.
The meeting comes as Pope Leo continues to emphasize the Church’s call to defend human dignity, care for migrants, and work for peace. Throughout his pontificate, the Holy Father has repeatedly urged Catholics and world leaders to seek justice rooted in the Gospel while remembering the inherent worth of every person created in the image of God.
While the details of the private audience remain largely confidential, the meeting highlighted several issues that continue to shape public debate both in the United States and around the world. Catholics are called to approach these challenges through the lens of Church teaching, defending the sanctity of human life, promoting authentic human dignity, and seeking peace grounded in truth and charity.
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