Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is set to embark on a significant journey to meet Pope Leo XIV, as announced by the mayor’s office on Wednesday.
This upcoming trip is organized and funded by World Business Chicago, the city’s economic development arm.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
According to sources from ABC7 Chicago, Johnson will be accompanied by senior staff members for this visit, scheduled from May 26 to May 30, covering both Rome, Italy, and Vatican City.
In an official statement, Johnson expressed his enthusiasm about the meeting, stating, “I’m thrilled that the Pope hails from Chicago. We plan to discuss our shared values—upholding voting rights, immigrant rights, and workers’ rights. The Pope has been consistently vocal on these issues, and I am eager for our dialogue.”
This visit follows a recent diplomatic mission by Illinois mayors to Rome, where they met with the Chicago-born pope. The mission highlighted the ongoing connection between the city and the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV recently marked the first anniversary of his election as the leader of the global Catholic Church, adding a special significance to this forthcoming meeting.
Johnson’s third anniversary of his taking office is coming up.
Pictures with the pope are certainly a good optic, even if the mayor is still playing coy about his reelection plans.
“We’re so proud, you know, as a city, as a nation, that Pope Leo has his roots right here in this beloved city. I’m looking forward to engaging with him when I talk to him about how pleased and how grateful I am for him standing up for our humanity as we have worked to stand up against the tyranny that’s coming from the federal government,” Johnson said in a one-on-one interview with ABC7 Chicago Wednesday.
Johnson will officially mark three years in office on May 15.
The mayor said that this job has been one of the joys of his life, despite the headwinds coming from the federal government.
“This is a unique time to lead, especially for cities, at a time in which the federal government is attacking American cities all over the country,” he said.
The mayor continued to be evasive about whether he will seek another term, despite frequently joking about serving longer than either Mayor Daley.
“Listen, I’m going to be very direct with you. I have not thought about my political future,” Johnson said. “Our work is not done, right? There’s still one more year left in my term. That’s where my focus has to be.”
Johnson brushed off the growing list of potential challengers who’d like to take his place on the fifth floor of City Hall.
“Those same individuals that are thinking about politics right now are the same individuals who believed that somehow my election would lead to the breakup of this great city, and that just has not been the case,” Johnson said.
The mayor then proceeded to rattle off a list of accomplishments and community investments from this past year.
“All of those promises that I’ve made that I kept, that’s what people want to hear about. And that’s the story that I’m going to continue to tell,” Johnson said.
After last year’s history drop in violent crime, shootings and homicides are trending back up so far this year. That and the economy are priorities for this next year in office.
“My focus is going to be driving violence down in this city. We still have more work to do there. My focus is also going to be on making sure that affordability is top of mind for everyone,” Johnson said. “We’re saying that we have to do more of the work that’s working, and that’s why I’m working with our superintendent to make sure that our strategy moving forward is adjusting to some of the trends that you just highlighted.”
As for the $732 million Chicago Public Schools budget deficit that could lead to teacher layoffs, a Tax Increment Financing sweep could be possible.
“Well, look, I’m going to do my part, and we cannot just simply let Springfield off the hook,” the mayor said.
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
