Gov. JB Pritzker met with Chicago's Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, according to an announcement early Wednesday morning. 

Pritzker posted photos of the meeting on Instagram, calling Pope Leo a "son of Illinois."

"Pope Leo XIV's message of hope, compassion, unity, and peace resonates with Illinoisans of all faiths and traditions," Pritzker said in the post. 

Pritzker and First Lady MK Pritzker presented Pope Leo with gifts, including a pack of Burning Bush Breweries' "Da Pope" American mild ale.

The governor has not confirmed why he is in Rome. 

Earlier this month, the pope called for "deep reflection" when reacting to news that agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had refused to allow faith leaders inside ICE's Broadview facility to give people holy communion.

Pope Leo has also voiced criticism of the federal government's treatment of immigrants, demanding that the world do what it can to help protect them. 

On a lighter note, the noted White Sox fan had a cheeky message for a Cubs fan who yelled from the crowd during a Vatican appearance in October. The fan yelled, "Go Cubs," and Pope Leo responded, "They lost" in both Spanish and English, with a smile on his face.