Pope-Inspired Sandwich Blesses Portillo's Menu

CHICAGO, IL — Portillo's is blessing the Chicagoland with a sandwich inspired by the Windy City's newest claim to fame: Pope Leo XIV.

The Leo, a new limited-time menu item, is "baptized in gravy" and includes the holy trinity of peppers — sweet, hot or a combo.

"In the name of the gravy, the bun, and hot giard, we introduce The Leo," Portillo's said in a statement. "It’s our original sacred sandwich, bold, unapologetically flavorful, and made in honor of a moment that’s historic for Portillo’s hometown."

Customers will be able to get their own heavenly sandwich through the rest of the month of May.

Pope Leo XIV made history becoming the first American pontiff, being born in Chicago on Sept. 14, 1955.

The Leo isn't the only pope-themed item being offered up in the Chicago area and beyond. Here are some others:

• Bennison's Bakery in Evanston is offering cookies featuring the image of Pope Leo himself.
• Aurelio's Pizza in Homewood, having welcomed a visit from the new pope last year, now has a special "pope chair" that customers can request to sit in, plus a Pope-A-Roni pizza.
• The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame in Milwaukee is offering not one, but two different Pope Leo XIV bobbleheads for $30 apiece plus shipping.
• For those who want to wear their pride in the first Chicago-area pope, you can find T-shifts with slogans including "Da Pope" and "Putting the ope in Pope."

See related:

Chicago Native Becomes 1st American Pope

5 Things To Know About Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV's Brother Settles Crucial Chicago Debate