JB Pritzker huddles with Chicago-born Pope at Vatican to rip ICE ops
In a significant meeting that underscores the intersection of faith and politics, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker had a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, where the two leaders exchanged gifts and shared their concerns about the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategy, particularly the “Operation Midway Blitz.” Organized with the assistance of Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, the meeting highlighted a shared commitment to compassion and unity in the face of controversial immigration policies. Following their discussion, Pritzker expressed that the Pope’s message resonates deeply with Illinoisans, emphasizing hope and solidarity among diverse communities.
During their conversation, Pritzker and Pope Leo XIV addressed the implications of the Trump administration’s immigration actions in Illinois and Chicago. The governor conveyed that the Pope was particularly interested in understanding the local sentiments surrounding these operations. Pritzker noted that the Pope appreciated the pride felt by Chicagoans who have actively opposed the oppressive measures faced by immigrants. The meeting coincided with a recent statement from a group of U.S. bishops, which the Pope supported, condemning ICE’s tactics, including mass deportations, and voicing concern over the climate of fear these actions have instilled in immigrant communities. This aligns with Pope Leo’s broader perspective on immigration, where he advocates for treating individuals with dignity while recognizing each nation’s right to establish its own immigration laws.
The meeting also featured a light-hearted exchange, with Pritzker gifting the Pope a case of “Da Pope” beer from a local Illinois brewery, to which the Pope humorously responded, “We’ll put that in the fridge.” As Pritzker reflected on the encounter, he remarked on the Pope’s humanity, noting the significance of the moment for him as a Jewish individual. This meeting marks a poignant moment in the ongoing dialogue about immigration policies in the United States, illustrating the potential for collaboration between political and religious leaders in advocating for humane treatment of immigrants. The last papal visit to Chicago was in 1979, making this encounter particularly historic and noteworthy for the local community.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker was granted an audience with fellow Illini
Pope Leo XIV
, where the two exchanged gifts and discussed their collective criticisms of President
Donald Trump
’s “Operation Midway Blitz” ICE enforcement mission.
“Pope Leo XIV’s message of hope, compassion, unity and peace resonates with Illinoisans of all faiths and traditions,” Pritzker said in a statement after the meeting, which was set up with the help of Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich.
Pritzker and Leo reportedly discussed their reservations about the Trump administration’s
immigration enforcement
operations in Illinois and Chicago, specifically, with the governor saying that the Pope agreed with his feeling of pride that “the people of Chicago stood up against the oppression that’s been brought on immigrants.”
Pritzker told
Chicago’s NBC affiliate
that the Pope has strong feelings about ICE’s activities, and that the pontiff wanted to hear Pritzker’s views and asked questions about the state of Midway Blitz.
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Leo was reportedly heartened when told the operation appeared to be winding down in Chicago, according to Pritzker’s comments.
Earlier this month, a
group of U.S. bishops released a statement
supported by Leo that criticized some of ICE’s operations – including
mass deportations
– and spoke of public fears about the missions.
Released from Baltimore, the statement – endorsed by a vote of 216-5 with three clergy abstaining – read in part that bishops are “bound to our people by ties of communion and compassion in Our Lord Jesus Christ [and] are disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement.”
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Leo had also called into question whether people who oppose abortion but agree with the “inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States” can be considered “pro-life.”
“If people are in the United States illegally, there are ways to treat that. There are courts; there’s a system of justice,” he told the Italian press at the time, adding that leaders should look for ways to treat people with dignity while enforcing the law.
But, he added that every nation has its own right to determine immigration procedures and laws.
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“No one has said that the United States should have open borders,” Leo, born Robert Prevost, said.
Pritzker said of his audience
that “you could feel [the pope’s] humanity.”
“It was a special moment, even for this Jewish boy,” he said.
The governor also invited Leo to visit Chicago and presented him with a case of “Da Pope” beer from
local Illinois brewery
Burning Bush.
“We’ll put that in the fridge,” the Pope quipped as he smiled at the gift.
The last papal visit to Chicago was in 1979 when John Paul II held an audience at Grant Park, according to
Capitol News Illinois
.
