IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli was part of a group of labor leaders from the Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL) who traveled to the Vatican for a meeting with Pope Leo XIV. The visit aimed to discuss how the labor movement and the Catholic Church can work together to support workers worldwide.
The delegation included members of the CFL Executive Board, faith leaders from Chicago, a representative from the National AFL-CIO, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, and Cardinal Blasé Cupich. The trip was organized by the CFL and Father Clete Kiley, who serves on the CFL Executive Board and is known for promoting connections between organized labor and the Catholic Church. Cardinal Cupich also supported the effort.
“It was a labor pilgrimage,” said Cicinelli. “The Chicago Federation of Labor, along with other labor affiliates, were invited because of our long-standing ties to the Church, to CFL Chaplain Father Kiley and to Cardinal Cupich, who was instrumental in Pope Leo’s election. Since Pope Leo is pro-labor and advocates to lift up the livelihoods of so many in need, we thought — why not go visit him along with the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, and Italy’s largest confederation of labor (CGIL) and start a dialogue about how we can work together.”
During their week-long stay, delegates had a private audience with Pope Leo XIV. “The Pope told us to continue doing what we are doing on behalf of people most in need, those needing a voice in the workplace and in their communities,” said Cicinelli. “He said that we are the advocates who help those get to where they need to be — and to continue doing God’s work. Everyone walked out of there spiritually energized and ready to get back into the field to continue on our missions. It was such a powerful message.”
The group also attended meetings at the Dicastery for Integral Human Development that included panels on topics such as The Future of Work, migration issues from a global perspective, integrating faith into organizing efforts, and ethical concerns related to artificial intelligence (AI). They met with representatives from CGIL—Italy’s largest labor federation—which represents about one-third of Italy’s population. U.S. and Italian union leaders compared experiences regarding union structures, challenges with organizing workers amid declining union density, growing right-wing movements, immigrant integration into workplaces, and technological changes like AI affecting working families.
“Their struggles are reflective of our struggles,” Cicinelli explained. “They’re fighting against an anti-union right-wing government similar to what we are experiencing here, and they’re facing the same challenges with organizing and maintaining union density. It made each of us aware that even though we are thousands of miles apart, we all share the same struggles — representing our members and uplifting those in need.”
Cicinelli participated in a panel focused on artificial intelligence’s impact on employment. He emphasized that careful planning is needed so that automation does not displace large numbers of workers without protections.
“AI is taking off so rapidly that hopefully we’re not going to have an ‘oh no’ moment soon,” said Cicinelli. “It’s already displacing jobs in industries like the airlines, fast food, factories, and retail. There is even a pursuance of AI displacing semi, delivery and rideshare drivers. I worry about my children and future generations. Hopefully we can figure out how to use this technology in a way that benefits everyone from the top down.”
Reflecting on his experience at the Vatican, Cicinelli noted how religious communities could become more involved in supporting worker rights: “I was made aware how we could involve the Church in our struggles,” he said. “What if, in addition to asking our legislators to intervene in labor disputes, the clergy in our communities also wrote letters to companies urging them to treat workers fairly? That moral voice could make a big difference.”
For Cicinelli personally, attending this event strengthened his commitment: “I’ve always had a drive for doing what I do to help others, but this just over-inflated the enthusiasm and drive,” he said. “It was uplifting in every sense. We left wanting to do more, to organize more, to help more people achieve greater goals.”
The Chicago delegation intends to build on these discussions by developing local projects based on ideas raised during their Vatican visit—and may plan another meeting with Pope Leo XIV.
“We’re already talking about what’s next,” said Cicinelli. “Whether it’s going back to Italy in the immediate future or meeting the Pope again if he visits the U.S., this is just the beginning.”
