From Chicago to Rome: A Special Pizza Pilgrimage for Pope Leo XIV

Two young Catholics recently made a pilgrimage to Chicago to send Pope Leo a delicious reminder of Illinois straight to the Vatican.

Illinois Loves Pope Leo XIV

In April 2025, 69-year-old, Chicago native Cardinal Robert Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, became the very first American head of the Catholic Church, and Illinoisans are still thrilled about it.

From his love of the Chicago White Sox, to his boyhood home and favorite local pizza joint, Illinois wants to know everything about our hometown pontiff, and now residents from other states are joining in the fun.

2 Men's Mission to Deliver Pizza to the Pope

In an age where social media can be a blessing and a curse, two young men from Ohio decided to put their influencer status to good use and provide Pope Leo with a slice of home straight to Rome.

READ MORE: Pope Leo XIV Gets His Own Sandwich at Portillo's 

According to an article from WGN TV,  Jayden Remias of Ohio and Jake Ochave of Virginia recently drove to Aurelio's Pizza in Chicago, which is a favorite of Pope Leo's from his time in Illinois.

With very little money and inside connections to the pope or the Vatican, Jayden Remias and others were able to pull off the pizza delivery with the help of some divine intervention.

Basically, Remias and Ochave picked up an Aurelio's pepperoni pizza, packed it in dry ice, and then gave it to a woman from Cincinnati named Madeline Daley who was traveling to Rome.

On July 30, 2025, Daley traveled to Saint Peter's Square in Rome to see Pope Leo, armed with one special pizza and a sign.

Safe to say Pope Leo was excited to spot this delicious reminder from home:

Here's the full video from Jayden Remias' YouTube channel that explains how they pulled off this divine mission:

Now I want to try Aurelio's Pizza for myself!