Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost before he was elected the first American pope earlier this year, received the gift as he rode through Saint Peter’s Square in Rome on Wednesday, July 30. His brother, John Prevost, told Chicago TV station WGN that the pontiff “devoured” the personal pepperoni pie.

A group of young Catholic influencers teamed up to get Pope Leo XIV his favorite dish — Aurelio’s pepperoni pizza — shipped from his hometown of Chicago.

Pope Leo XIV's love for the Chicago White Sox and Chicago pizza is well documented, so much so that a group of young Catholic influencers hatched a plan to deliver the pope's favorite pizza from Chicago to Rome.