NBC 5 Exclusive: Pritzker holds private meeting with Pope Leo XIV in Rome

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker met privately with Pope Leo XIV Wednesday morning in Rome, NBC 5 has learned.

NBC 5 political reporter Mary Ann Ahern said the two held a private, 40 minute meeting discussing the Trump Administration’s immigration deportation campaign in Chicago — and whether or not the Pope himself would pay a visit to the Windy City.

“I didn’t just ask him about coming to Chicago, I presented him with an invitation that I brought with me to come to Chicago,” Pritzker said in an interview with NBC 5 early Wednesday. “And that we are prepared to receive him with a level of excitement that he can only imagine. And he was optimistic.”

Pritzker was joined by wife MK, and his Chief of Staff Anne Caprara, Ahern reported. Later Wednesday morning, Pritzker posted about the experience on X, saying the Pope’s “message of hope, compassion, unity, and peace resonates with Illinoisans of all faiths and traditions.”

“You can feel his humanity,” Pritzker said in the interview. “It was a special moment, even for this Jewish boy.”

Pritzker said the Pope was “pleased” to hear that there were fewer Immigration Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents on the ground in Illinois, and that the National Guard was not deployed. The comments come days after reports indicate “Operation Midway Blitz,” which has been ongoing since September, appeared to be winding down.

“He certainly feels strongly about this, and he wanted to hear my views and asked a few questions about what the situation is on the ground right now,” Pritzker added.

Last week, North Chicago officials said the Department of Homeland Security left Naval Station Great Lakes in Lake County. Reports also surfaced that Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino has left Chicago and was expected to begin operations in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Over the last few months, immigration enforcement in Chicago has led to tense moments between protesters, agents and people that have been detained, with videos showing agents using use-of-force and tear gas during some incidents, which the Department of Homeland Security argued was for crowd control.

The operations also led to multiple court orders, with rulings aimed at curtailing the use of chemical irritants. A judge also ordered more than 600 detainees to be released after the judge said they were arrested without warrants.

“I expressed my pride, and he agreed, that the people of Chicago stood up against the oppression that’s been brought on immigrants,” said Pritzker, who has been an outspoken critic of the Trump Administration and “Operation Midway Blitz.”

Pritzker also brought with him to the meeting a number of gifts for the Pope — including beer.

“There is a craft beer that’s made in Chicago by Burning Bush Brewery,” Pritzker said. “And the beer is called ‘Da Pope,’ and I actually presented him a four-pack.”

Pritzker also gifted Pope Leo XIV a piece of art from an incarnated woman at Logan Correctional Facility, a book from the Lincoln Presidential Museum, and a book on the Illinois Governor’s Mansion.

“I expressed to him how proud we are that he is a product of Chicago, and perhaps, more popular than Michael Jordan,” Pritzker said.

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