Pope Leo Meets with Cardinal Cupich in Vatican

Leo meets Cupich, students from Chicago. Source: Chicago Catholic

ROME — On October 9, Pope Leo XIV welcomed Cardinal Blase Cupich and a delegation of Chicago labor leaders to the Vatican during their “Jubilee Year of Hope” pilgrimage, the Catholic Herald reports. The private audience, held in the Apostolic Palace, was part of the Pope’s series of meetings with American Catholic NGOs this week.

Leo praised Chicago’s unions for promoting worker dignity and training youth in skills benefiting industry and society. He highlighted their apprenticeship programs for minorities and renewable energy initiatives, calling them “commendable and timely” in light of the Church’s environmental teachings.

The delegation presented a report on their Chicago community work, including support for immigrant shelters and food pantries. Pope Leo XIV commended their hospitality and commitment to inclusion, urging that human dignity remain central to social policy. He prayed their pilgrimage would deepen their dedication to the Church’s social teachings.

The Pope also briefly greeted Cardinal Cupich after the October 8 General Audience and met children from Chicago’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy, whose mock conclave gained online attention. Sources suggest a private discussion may have addressed the controversy over an award Cupich wished to give to Senator Dick Durbin—dubbed “Cupichgate”—reflecting ongoing debates in American Catholic circles.

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