Why is an American Mayor Kissing the Pope’s Ring

Chicago had its typical holiday weekend – 13 people were shot during Memorial Day weekend in the Windy City. There was little said about the violence by Mayor Johnson, and instead, he led a group visit of Chicago “leaders” to Rome and a private audience with Pope Leo for Brandon Johnson. The topics discussed during this private session were immigration and reparations. Unless Johnson is prepping for a run for higher office, it would seem that both topics are far above his pay grade.

When I first heard this story, my first thought was why are there 50 people accompanying the Mayor in contrast to the 4 people who made a similar trip to the Vatican with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. There is no viable answer available for that question, but I did get an answer about my second thought, which was who paid for this junket? Here are some details about Johnson’s field trip.

Key Details:

• Who is Mayor Johnson? This refers to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who led a ~50-person delegation (including city officials, business leaders, aldermen, and faith leaders) to meet Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV in late May 2026.
• What WBC covered: Travel expenses for the mayor, City Hall staff (~9 people), security, and logistics like transportation and meals for the official delegation. Private delegates paid for their own airfare and accommodations.
• WBC’s funding sources: Mostly from private sector contributions and membership dues (about 70%), with some city grants (around 25%, supported by taxpayer dollars). WBC described the trip as supporting Chicago’s international profile and economic interests.

If I were a Chicago resident/taxpayer, I would have a problem with funding any portion of a trip for the Mayor and his friends, especially given the topics discussed. If this mayor wants to have a discussion about reparations, it should not be about slavery. It should be about making property owners in Chicago whole for their lost property value caused by the security/safety issues in the city.

Three of the members of Johnson’s entourage were George Floyd’s lawyer, the president of the Chicago Teachers’ Union, and the president of Loyola University. A meeting at City Hall would be sufficient for these folks, and the mayor, instead of international travel to Italy on the taxpayers’ dime. Here is a list of the tour group:

Notable Members (selected highlights):

• City Officials & Staff:
  • Max Budovitch (Deputy Mayor for Business and Neighborhood Development)
  • Melissa Conyears-Ervin (City Treasurer; wife of Ald. Jason Ervin)
  • Angela Tovar (Commissioner of Environment & Chief Sustainability Officer)
  • Jason Lee (Senior Adviser to the Mayor)
  • Aldermen: Jason Ervin (28th Ward), Julia Ramirez (12th Ward), Lamont Robinson (4th Ward)
  • Other staff: Erin Connelly (Communications Director), Billy Evans (Chief of Faith Engagement), etc.
• Business & Economic Leaders:
  • Charles Smith (Vice Chair, World Business Chicago; CEO, CS Insurance Strategies)
  • Kristopher Anderson (Director, United Airlines)
  • Martin Cabrera Jr. (CEO, Cabrera Capital)
  • Guy Chipparoni (Chair, Choose Chicago; President & CEO, Res Publica Group)
  • Nadia Rawlinson (Co-owner & Operating Chairperson, Chicago Sky)
  • Mary Dillon (former CEO, Foot Locker)
  • Others from firms like SodexoMagic, Acclivus, etc.
• Labor, Faith, Education & Community Leaders:
  • Stacy Davis Gates (President, Chicago Teachers Union)
  • Yusef Jackson (President & CEO, Rainbow PUSH Coalition)
  • Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann (Founder, Mishkan Chicago)
  • Rev. Tanya Lozano Washington (Pastor, Lincoln United Methodist Church)
  • University presidents: Dr. Robert Manuel (DePaul), Dr. Mark Reed (Loyola Chicago)
  • Other faith leaders like Bishop Horace E. Smith, Rev. Reginald Sharpe Jr., etc.
  • Antonio Romanucci (civil rights attorney)

It is trips like this that make you question the motives and judgment of politicians, especially progressive and woke politicians. I realize that the Vatican is an independent country, but there is no reason for fifty-some odd people from Chicago to meet with the Pope, even if he is a Cubs fan.

Author’s Note: Graphic created by GROK AI