While the pope may be infallible, in this case at least, nobody’s perfect.
Prevost has taken the name of Leo XIV, and, sure, there are probably a plethora of ecclesiastical ramifications of this geographically surprising choice and the direction that the Catholic Church may now take, but until then we’re all beset with questions such as “Will they allow ketchup at the Vatican?” and “Is it official church doctrine that one must ‘baptize’ their Italian beef?” etc.
Not to miss a potential marketing opportunity, Portillo’s, the Chicago-based, fast-casual spot that set up shop in North Texas recently, has joined the act, paying tribute to the newly minted Windy City pontiff with a limited-time menu item that its press release says is “sure to spark some culinary devotion."
“In the name of the gravy, the bun, and hot giard, we introduce The Leo: a divinely seasoned Italian beef, baptized in gravy and finished with the holy trinity of peppers—sweet, hot, or a combo. It’s our original sacred sandwich, bold, unapologetically flavorful, and made in honor of a moment that’s historic for Portillo’s hometown.”(No word yet on Portillo’s views on transubstantiation.)
The Leo will be available through the month of May, which, evidently, is also Italian Beef Month. Coincidence? We think not. The city of Chicago may be split on baseball fandom, but at least we, as a nation, can get behind this sandwich offering from Portillo’s that even the Bishop of Rome himself would probably bless, and really, isn’t that more important than his views on the synodal church?
Various locations, 10 a.m. - midnight
