Arts & Entertainment
New Documentary Highlights Pope Leo’s Chicago Connections, Including His Love for Chicago Food and the White Sox
Pope Leo XIV on May 12, 2025. (Courtesy of Edgar Beltrán / The Pillar / Wikimedia Commons)
A new documentary released Monday retraces the Chicago roots of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, to mark the six-month anniversary of his election as the first U.S.-born pope.
“Leo from Chicago,” chronicles his journey to becoming pontiff, from his time growing up in south suburban Dolton, his entrance into the priesthood and his work as an Augustinian and his missionary work in Peru. It also offers a personal look into how Chicago has shaped him.
The documentary was released by Vatican News, a news agency established by the late Pope Francis to bolster the mission of the Catholic Church. The documentary was produced by the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Apostolate El Sembrador Nueva Evangelización.
The documentary includes interviews with his brothers Louis and John Prevost, as well as his teachers, classmates, longtime friends and parishioners.
The documentary highlights Prevost’s cheering on the White Sox during a 2005 World Series game, and includes an interview with 2005 White Sox star catcher A.J. Pierzynski. It also highlights his time eating at Aurelio’s Pizza, which later added a “Poperoni Pizza” to its menu after he was chosen as pope.
Pope Leo XIV was elected on May 8, 2025.
“It’s sort of like the seed was planted in Chicago, and it flowered in Peru and in Rome, and now it’s in full bloom right now,” said Rob Utter, of St. Jude Catholic Church in New Lenox, in the documentary.
Watch the full documentary here.
Amid ramped up federal immigration enforcement across the U.S., including in Chicago, Pope Leo has recently called for “deep reflection” in the country about the treatment of migrants being held in detention.
“Many people who have lived for years and years and years, never causing problems, have been deeply affected by what is going on right now,” Pope Leo said to reporters last week.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]
