A Chicago restaurant is staking its claim as Pope Leo XIV’s favorite Chicago pizzeria!
Aurelio’s Pizza of Homewood is the newly elected pontiff’s unofficial favorite local pizza spot.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, was born and raised in the nearby town of Dolton, Illinois, and spent time in Homewood during his adolescence.
Since news of Chicago native Pope Leo XIV’s election made global headlines last week, Aurelio’s of Homewood has been quick to spotlight his longtime ties to the pizzeria.
Owner Joe Aurelio spoke with 9News Sydney on Friday, May 9, detailing the pope’s most recent visit in August of 2024. According to Aurelio, the pope ordered a classic pepperoni pie, or “pope-a-roni” as the restaurant has since trademarked it.
The restaurant has also set up an official “pope’s table” in its dining room, paired with a priest’s chair from a local Homewood church.
Aurelio’s Pizza has been a Chicago staple since its founding in 1959. The chain operates numerous locations throughout Chicagoland, including one in South Loop.
As for whether the pope prefers deep dish or tavern-style, his loyalty to Aurelio’s suggests he leans toward the latter. The Homewood institution specializes in thin-crust, tavern-cut pies along with other classic Italian fare.
While the Pope himself hasn’t officially weighed in on Chicago’s pizza wars, one thing’s for sure: when it comes to papal approval, Aurelio’s has a slice of history on its side.