Pope grants private audience to ex-Obama adviser David Axelrod

Pope Leo XIV raised eyebrows and sparked a wave of speculation after a private meeting with a former advisor to former President Barack Obama.

The first American pontiff, Robert Francis Prevost, reportedly met with longtime Democratic strategist David Axelrod on Thursday, raising questions about whether the Chicago-born pope would eventually meet with Obama as well.

“It’s a surprise. Obviously, [Axelrod is] not someone you’d expect to meet with Pope Leo XIV,” Christopher Hale told CBS News. “We’re not 100% sure that this is connected to that, but the timing is auspicious.”

🚨 CHICAGO DEMOCRAT MACHINE: Pope Leo XIV showed up 30 MINUTES LATE to Italian Olympic officials because he was huddled in a private meeting with David Axelrod, Barack Obama’s “chief strategist”.

The Vatican is getting strategy sessions from the guy who helped ram through… pic.twitter.com/mxSX6f9jmh

— Publius (@OcrazioCornPop) April 9, 2026

Obama revealed how much he was “looking forward” to someday meeting the new pope, who was elected to lead the Catholic Church in May 2025, during an interview on Bryan Tyler Cohen’s podcast in February.

“Being president, or even being an ex-president, I can kind of meet everybody. So, I’ve met a lot of folks. The person who I have not yet met, and that I’m looking forward to meeting – and I hope I get an opportunity sometime in the future – is the new pope, who’s from Chicago, and a White Sox fan,” Obama said at the time.

Illinois mayors and even Gov JB Pritzker have met with the pope, with the Democrat governor traveling to the Vatican last November.

(Video: CBS Chicago/YouTube)

The news of a possible meeting of the Chicagoans comes as the pope has become more vocal in his political comments, notably speaking against the Trump administration’s current military campaign against Iran.

During Palm Sunday mass, he said: “Jesus is the King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war.”

“He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them,” the pope, who has not yet met with President Donald Trump, added.

Days ago, the pontiff said people must “reject war, especially a war in which many people have said is an unjust war, which is continuing to escalate, and which is not resolving anything.”

While details about his meeting with Axelrod have not emerged, many on social media questioned the timing and wondered about an eventual encounter with Obama.

Why would the Pope meet with Obama’s strategist? 🤔 https://t.co/GDJwYJ9B4Z

— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) April 9, 2026

. @RealSpitfire The @CCharitiesUSA NGO is one of the largest recipients of government funds for illegal alien migration. It is a major source of revenue for the Church. @pontifex has lost his way. Time for another reformation.

— RJ Arena (@Arcsyst1) April 9, 2026

What, exactly can Obama and the pope do? Not much. I suggest, they ask God for guidance.

— KathPoole (@KathPooleWC) April 9, 2026

Obama Axelrod the Pope and Pritzker are all from the Chicago area right ? Maybe they are going to create an alliance

— Siri Keaton (@siri_keaton) April 9, 2026

Axelrod isn’t Catholic. He’s Jewish. What was the reason for the meeting?

— Nathaniel Eliason (@n3liason) April 9, 2026

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