Overview

• During his July 30 weekly audience in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV accepted a box of pizza from Aurelio’s Pizza, prompting him to flash a thumbs-up to the crowd.
• A group of young Catholic influencers from Ohio orchestrated the surprise delivery by transporting a frozen six-inch pepperoni pizza from Chicago with dry ice to Rome.
• Born Robert Francis Prevost, the pontiff forged his love of Chicago pizza by frequenting Aurelio’s original Homewood location when he was known as Father Bob.
• Aurelio’s Pizza celebrated the moment on Facebook, calling it a blessing and inviting the pope to visit its Homewood shop on his next return to Chicago.
• Earlier this month, owner Joe Aurelio launched the “Poperoni Pizza” in honor of the pontiff, and the delivery underscores how his Chicago roots continue to inspire cultural tributes.