Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson headed to Rome to talk to Pope Leo XIV

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was headed to Rome on Wednesday to meet with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican.

The mayor is expected to talk with the pope on Thursday.

This past Sunday at Peaches Restaurant, 4652 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Mayor Johnson said he plans to ask the pope how to accomplish their shared goals.

"As many people know, affordability is an issue around not just the country or around the globe — you know, how we treat the most vulnerable, the endless, illegal wars, right?" Mayor Johnson said Sunday. "There's so much work that we can do together to make sure that our collective humanity is protected."

Mayor Johnson said he plans to bring up voting rights, immigration rights, and workers' rights with the pope. The war with Iran is also expected to be addressed.

"We're going to really highlight ways in which the city of Chicago is showing up, but really how mayors across the globe are showing up, and how his leadership and his pulpit can help shine a light on the places in the world where grievances are quite severe and have been ignored," the mayor said this week.

There will be both serious and non-serious topics on the agenda, the mayor said.

"It's going to be a very full, rich conversation," Johnson said. "And of course, the conversation will not end without us having a real substantive debate around our Cubbies and his Sox."

Meanwhile, CBS News Chicago has learned that Mayor Johnson packed a special gift from the pope — a jar of hot giardiniera from J.P. Graziano's grocery store. Owner Jim Graziano said his family is honored.

"Our great-grandfather started there in 1937, so we've been part of Chicago's history on that corner for a very long time," Graziano said, "and it's really something to get that sort of recognition for the mayor's office to consider you an iconic piece of Chicago, so much so that you would bring a gift out to the pope for it."

Graziano included a special message from him and his sister with the jar. It said, "Your Holiness, I hope you enjoy a taste of real Chicago."

Pope Leo XIV grew up in south suburban Dolton.

Johnson will be in Rome through Saturday. World Business Chicago is funding the trip.

For CBS News Chicago, Vince Gerasole is right there in Rome for the meeting. Coverage of the mayor's papal visit will begin Wednesday afternoon on CBS News Chicago.