(Vatican City, Rome) — Just days after a violent, chaotic weekend in Chicago, progressive Mayor Brandon Johnson is overseas in Rome meeting with Pope Leo XIV. Johnson said the two discussed President Donald J. Trump’s immigration crackdown, reparations, and “the harm slavery caused across the globe”—including in Chicago.
The mayor also invited the pontiff to celebrate Mass in the city next year. The president has repeatedly targeted both men in recent months, criticizing the pope’s stance on immigration & calling him “weak on crime,” while saying he has no plans to speak with him directly.
President Trump also blasted Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker this week after a teen takeover on Chicago’s West Side erupted into chaos, with an 18-yr-old driver accused of mowing down five police officers. Another takeover Monday ended with more than 50 arrests. Johnson defended Chicago’s response, arguing the city “cannot rely on endless cycles of arrest and incarceration.” The delegation’s trip to Rome is being funded by ‘World Business Chicago.’
