VATICAN CITY -- Pope Leo XIV received a surprise on a ride through Saint Peter's Square in his Pope Mobile Wednesday. The pope was given a box of pizza, straight from his hometown of the Chicago area. Pope Leo has said that it's his favorite spot, and was photographed at the pizza shop less than a year ago, when he was a cardinal.

Americans are among pilgrims from nearly 150 countries who've traveled to Rome for the event. Pope Leo will lead prayer services, confessions, and a Sunday mass during the weeklong celebration.

The pope was greeting crowds for a Jubilee of Young People event in 2025, when a sign reading, “We have Aurelio’s Pizza,” caught his eye.

Pope Leo XIV was surprised with a pizza delivery right inside Saint Peter’s Square during a Popemobile ride. Check out the gift of food to him.

Pope Leo started his Wednesday morning (July 30) with an unexpected culinary delight: a box of Chicago pizza delivered straight from the Windy City.

During his general audience Wednesday, several people in the Vatican crowd handed the pope a slice of the classic suburban Chicago pizza. The pope, and his security guards, were all smiles over the gift.