Pope Leo XIV’s Gift List: From Sports Gear to Sacred Art

Every time a leader visits the Vatican, people wonder what to bring. Pope Leo XIV, who took office last year, has become the latest recipient of a wide range of presents. Some gifts are extravagant and symbolic; others come from hometown pride or personal hobbies. In Chicago, the mayor and a city delegation sent a treasure trove of local goodies. Among them were an official key to the city, clothes from both the White Sox and Cubs, and a jar of spicy giardiniera. The gesture highlighted the city’s support for the new pontiff. Pope Leo, like his predecessor Pope Francis, has vowed poverty. He rarely keeps personal items from gifts. Instead, many of the presents are displayed in the Vatican Museum, sold at charity auctions, or donated to groups that help those in need. The range of gifts is wide. Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker and his wife gave Leo a drawing by an inmate, a biography of Abraham Lincoln, and a four‑pack of Chicago beer. Vice President J. D. Vance presented a custom Bears jersey, books by St. Augustine, and an invitation from President Trump—though the relationship has since cooled. The Pope returned a bronze sculpture to the Vances, reminding them that peace is fragile.U. S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio brought a crystal football with the State Department seal, an odd but memorable choice. Leo replied with an olive‑wood pen bearing the papal coat of arms, a nod to peace. International leaders have also contributed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gifted an icon painted on a recovered war crate, symbolizing children affected by conflict. King Charles III and Queen Camilla offered an icon of St. Edward the Confessor, a photo, and orchids that represent resilience. Business leaders are not left out. Ford CEO Jim Farley presented a custom hybrid Explorer, built in Chicago and tailored for the Pope’s love of cars. Sports figures have sent jerseys: former White Sox star Paul Konerko signed a No. 14 jersey, and the team’s mascot celebrated his fandom with a special gift. Even an Arabian horse from Polish breeder Andrzej Michalski joined the collection, showing how diverse and personal the gifts can be. These presents reflect not only the Pope’s humble stance but also the global community’s desire to honor his new role with tokens that carry cultural, personal, or symbolic meaning.