Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will travel to Rome, Italy, Vatican City to meet Pope Leo XIV

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will travel to meet Pope Leo XIV, the mayor’s office said Wednesday.

The trip will be funded and led by World Business Chicago, an economic development agency in the city.

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ABC7 Chicago was told Johnson is expected to travel at the end of May to Rome, Italy and Vatican City.

“I’m just elated that the Pope is from Chicago. I think we’re going to talk about the values we share – protecting voting rights, protecting immigrant rights, and protecting workers’ rights. He’s been very clear and consistent on those issues, and I’m looking forward to that conversation,” Johnson said in a statement.

Last month, an “Illinois Mayors Public Diplomacy Mission” traveled to Rome to meet the Chicago-born pope.

Pope Leo recently celebrated his one-year anniversary of being elected pontiff of the worldwide Catholic church.

This is a developing story; check back with ABC7 Chicago for details.