Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker met privately with Pope Leo XIV Wednesday morning in Rome, NBC 5 has learned.

NBC 5 political reporter Mary Ann Ahern said the two held a private, 40 minute meeting discussing the Trump Administration's immigration deportation campaign in Chicago -- and whether or not the Pope himself would pay a visit to the Windy City.

"I didn't just ask him about coming to Chicago, I presented him with an invitation that I brought with me to come to Chicago," Pritzker said in an interview with NBC 5 early Wednesday. "And that we are prepared to receive him with a level of excitement that he can only imagine. And he was optimistic."

Pritzker was joined by wife MK, and his Chief of Staff Anne Caprara, Ahern reported. Later Wednesday morning, Pritzker posted about the experie

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