Aurelio’s Pizza & Chicago’s Pope Leo XIV: The Pope-A-Roni Story
When Robert Francis Prevost was named Pope Leo XIV, successor to Pope Francis, the Windy City of Chicago erupted in celebration. Pope Leo XIV is the first American Pope. Born in suburban Chicago, Pope Leo XIV spent much of his life in Chicago. Chicagoans love pizza, and Pope Leo XIV is no exception.
Does Pope Leo XIV have a favorite pizza?
Aurelio’s Pizza has drawn attention for its Pope Leo XIV connection. According to a Chicago Tribute article, he enjoys a thin crust pepperoni pizza at Aurelio’s Pizza in Homewood. That’s a win for Chicago Thin Pizza, as Aurelio’s Pizza has been serving up the thin crust style since the first location in Homewood, Illinois, opened in 1959. The family pizzeria has 38 locations across six states. With Chicago thin at its core, Aurelio’s recently introduced a Deep Dish style pizza earlier this year.
Pope Leo XIV last visited Aurelio’s Pizza in the summer of 2024 with friends during a speaking engagement at St. Jude Catholic Church in nearby New Lenox. In an Instagram post shortly after the announcement of Pope Leo XIV, Aurelio’s Pizza wrote, “If you needed further proof that Aurelio’s Pizza is ‘heaven-sent,’ the new Pope might be able to sign off on that. Honored to have served Pope Leo and friends, and we will gladly welcome him back the next time he’s craving the pizza of his hometown.”
Then Robert Francis Prevost visited the flagship Homewood location, which is the largest pizzeria in the world with over 13,000 square feet and a seating capacity of 650.
The pizza chain did more than just make note of Pope Leo XIV’s visit. Aurelio’s was quick to trademark a “Pope-A-Roni Pizza.” In an interview on Aurelio’s Instagram owner and CEO Joe Aurelio also shared that the restaurant has also designated a table as the official “Pope’s Table” with a priest’s chair from the altar of a local church. Customers can request the special Pope seating.
Who is Pope Leo XIV?
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, is the first American to lead the Catholic Church. He grew up in a devout Catholic family and pursued a passion for faith and education, earning degrees in mathematics and canon law. Ordained in 1982, he dedicated much of his ministry to missionary work in Peru, eventually becoming the Bishop of Chiclayo. Elevated to cardinal in 2023, he served as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops before his election as pope in 2025.
Pope Leo XIV’s predecessor’s fondness for pizza was well documented. For his 81st birthday, Pope Francis shared a 13-foot-long pizza with children from the Vatican’s pediatric clinic.
