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This week, the Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers took place July 28 and 29. The event was a milestone for digital evangelization, with 1,000+ attendees from more than 70 countries, highlighting the important role of Catholic content creators in spreading the Gospel in the digital age.
The event included a robust schedule of religious services, seminars, panel discussions … all the usual things you’d expect at a major Vatican event.
But perhaps the most memorable moment was one totally unplanned by the event coordinators — but very carefully planned by two intrepid influencers, Jayden Remias and Madeline Daley.
You can see it here:
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Jayden Remias, a full-time content creator who describes his work as a “Catholic Storyteller,” saw a viral video of a successful pizza delivery to Pope Francis in 2015. He was inspired to recreate that moment with Pope Leo XIV’s favorite Chicago-style pizza from Aurelio’s.
Here’s how he got it done.
The “pizza to pope” challenge
At first, Remias wasn’t sure he’d be able to pull it off. He had no plans to travel to Rome and no idea how to transport a pizza there.
But then he found out that his friend Madeline Daley would attend the Jubilee event, and that’s when it all began to come together.
Remias secured an Aurelio’s pizza and traveled to meet Daley between Columbus and Cincinnati. He opted for the pepperoni pizza, Aurelio's special "Poperoni," named after the pontiff. Daley took the personal-sized pizza with her to Rome on dry ice.
Along the way, the pizza almost didn’t make it. ChurchPOP reported on the near mishap:
While staying with her family in an apartment in Rome, the pizza was taken by housekeeping prior to the audience.
“Ultimately, my mom said she prayed, ‘Jesus, I know you don’t deny your mother when she asks you to do something, so Mary ask Jesus to bring the pizza back,’” Daley explained.
Moments later, the pizza was secured, and their journey continued.
“We were confident that God gave us the chance to really give [the pizza] to the pope,” she added.
Finally the big day arrived, and Daley wasn’t taking any chances. She made it to St. Peter’s Square at 5:45 am to secure a prime spot for the Wednesday papal audience on July 30.
In her hands? The pizza, and a huge sign: “We have Aurelio’s pizza” complete with the iconic red, white, and green logo.
The delivery couldn’t have gone more smoothly. As Pope Leo XIV came past, he saw her sign, gave her a thumbs-up and a huge smile, and had his guards bring him the pizza.
“He lit up when he saw the logo,” Daley told ChurchPOP.
Remias released a video recap of his successful “Pizza to the Pope” challenge on Instagram:
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Another influencer, Maegan Martin, shared photos of the event, with this sweet caption:
When you give a Pope a Pizza 🍕 Honestly, I’m shocked no one’s written a children’s book about this yet. Well done @jaydenremias and @madelinemdaley. So glad I got to witness this epic delivery!
Martin took the iconic photos of the event which have gone viral. She shared with Aleteia what the event meant to her:
I am so proud to be a part of a community that uses their creativity to do things like this in the Church. While it may seem silly or insignificant, it brings light to the joy of the Church and the humanity of her leaders. There is so much beauty in that. And to witness this gesture bring so much joy to our Holy Father is something I’ll never forget!
Brother reports: He ate it!
But there's more.
According to local Chicago news WGN-TV, the Pope’s brother John Prevost said the Pontiff actually did eat that six-inch Poperoni pizza!
Remias shared a powerful reflection on the deeper significance of his lighthearted quest to deliver Aurelio’s Pizza:
As I continue to unpack what God has been doing through all of this, I’ve come to a deeper realization that the gifts we have are meant to communicate God’s love to the world, for each individual person. By a silly act of delivering Pope Leo his favorite pizza from his hometown we see in a silly way how specific God loves us and the extent He will go to show us.
If we just listen to the voice of God and follow where He leads EVEN when the outcome is uncertain, we are living out His mission. That’s what He asks of us. To show up, to be faithful, and to bring His love into the world however we can.
Amen to that.
And Pope Leo, whenever you start craving another Aurelio’s pizza, that means it’s time for an in-person visit. The whole city of Chicago is waiting to welcome you home!
