Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson seeks to involve Pope Leo XIV in advocating for reparations in the city. During a visit to the Vatican, Johnson, accompanied by George Floyd family lawyer Antonio Romanucci, presented the pope with Chicago-based gifts, including a Chicago Cubs hat.

Johnson highlighted his efforts under the program Repair Chicago, aiming to address the historical harm suffered by Black Chicagoans. An executive order in 2024 had set up a reparations task force to deal with harms against Black residents and their ancestors.

As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, Johnson expressed his intention to request Pope Leo XIV’s support for reparations for African American descendants. During his visit to the Vatican, the pope had previously apologized for the Vatican’s role in legitimizing slavery, describing it as a significant historical wound.

Mayor Johnson remarked on the significance of America’s approaching 250th anniversary, acknowledging the role of enslaved labor in building the nation. He stated that the pope’s apology closely aligns with his own reparations initiatives.

This encounter with the highest-profile religious leader on the planet progresses our agenda forward, Johnson said, emphasizing that the discussion complements ongoing efforts in various local platforms.

The Repair Chicago initiative will feature bus tours, panel discussions, and town hall meetings to gather inputs for the reparations study. These activities aim to facilitate the work of the reparations task force.

Two years prior, Johnson appointed Carla Kupe as chief equity officer to lead the task force with allocated funding of $500,000. A UN official cited reparations as crucial in combating systemic racism. Chicago looks to follow in the steps of other states and municipalities in implementing some form of reparations.

Nearby Evanston became a pioneer by offering $25,000 payments to address housing expenses for eligible Black residents and their descendants. These efforts form part of a broader dialogue on reparations across the U.S., as Johnson navigates this sensitive issue.