Chicago rabbi gifts Pope Leo XIV a White Sox kippah during Vatican visit

Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann, during a recent Vatican visit with a delegation of Chicago leaders, expressed her gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for his approach to the war in Gaza. Heydemann, founder and leader of Mishkan Chicago, specifically thanked the pontiff for emphasizing the humanity of all parties involved in the conflict during a time she described as difficult for rabbis.

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I said, you know, it’s been a hard time over these past two years to be a rabbi, but I want to thank you for, in the midst of conflict, holding the humanity of everyone involved in the conflict.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope and a native of Chicago, has publicly advocated for the release of Israeli hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza. While his comments have drawn criticism from some Jewish leaders who felt they unfairly targeted Israel, others, like Heydemann, view his statements as a model for criticizing conflict without dehumanizing any group. Heydemann conveyed to the Pope that his ability to remain anti-war while avoiding denigration of people offered a valuable example.

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You may be anti-war, but I do not hear you denouncing or degrading people. Thank you for holding the humanity of Israelis and Palestinians in the same breath and the same thought. It’s not something that is modeled very often.

Heydemann, who was the only rabbi on the delegation led by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, shared that the encounter held significant emotional weight. Reflecting on the Pope's global platform and the constant scrutiny he faces, she drew a parallel to the pressures experienced by rabbis in America over recent years. The interaction culminated in a unique gesture of connection: Heydemann presented the Pope with a White Sox-themed kippah, a nod to his lifelong devotion to the baseball team.

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He seemed grateful, and like he knew exactly what I was talking about.

The kippah, featuring the Chicago White Sox logo and a pomegranate, was part of a collection of Chicago-themed gifts. Heydemann noted the visual similarity between the Pope's zucchetto and a kippah, suggesting the gift would serve as a sweet point of connection. This act symbolizes building bridges and finding common ground, even amidst profound differences and global tensions.

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We thought that would be a sweet point connection between me and the pope.