Chicago Mayor Johnson hopes to enlist pope in reparations fight after he apologized for ‘scourge of slavery’ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to ask Pope Leo XIV to support reparations for Black Chicagoans during his visit to the Vatican. Johnson is launching the Repair Chicago initiative to gather experiences of harm and provide reparations, inspired by the Pope’s recent apology for the Vatican’s historical role in slavery. This effort aligns with Chicago’s reparations task force and other similar initiatives across the country.

• Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to ask Pope Leo XIV for support in his fight for reparations in Chicago.
• Johnson met with Pope Leo XIV during a trip to the Vatican, gifting him Chicago-themed apparel.
• Johnson’s Repair Chicago initiative aims to gather lived experiences of harm from Black Chicagoans to provide reparations.
• He signed an executive order establishing a 40-member reparations task force to address historical harms against Black Chicagoans.
• Pope Leo XIV recently apologized for the Vatican’s historical role in legitimizing slavery.
• Johnson stated that the nation’s existence is indebted to the free and forced labor of Black people.
• The Pope’s apology is seen as aligned with Johnson’s efforts to repair harm caused by slavery.
• Repair Chicago will involve bus tours, panel discussions, town halls, and hearings to gather input.
• Chicago could follow other states and municipalities implementing reparations, such as Evanston’s direct cash payments.