Pope Leo gets a special delivery from Chicago: Aurelio's pizza
Although the toppings were not revealed, Joe Aurelio, owner of the pizzeria, announced the new "Poperoni Pizza" in early July, which features traditional pepperoni pizza topped with a layer of cup and crisp pepperoni.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Pizza was from Aurelio's Pizza
The pizza delivered to the pope, known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost outside of his papal position, appears to be from Illinois-based Aurelio's Pizza, which was quick to take credit. The pizza joint, which has locations in Illinois, Minnesota, California and Florida, in a post on Facebook, said it was "another blessing to have Pope Leo acknowledge our pizza at St. Peter's Square."
Aurelio's also invited the pope to visit them the "next time he is back home" and requested followers to connect them to the person who delivered the pizza about 4,800 miles away so the shop "can personally thank them."
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out
an hour ago
- Time Out
A gallery show of rare Keith Haring drawings is popping up in this NYC suburb
Move over, Manhattan. This month, one of New York City's most iconic street artists is taking over a dining room with views of it. From today, August 6 through Friday, August 29, Kanopi —the modern Portuguese-inspired fine-dining spot perched 42 floors above White Plains, will trade its sweeping Hudson-to-Manhattan panoramas (well, most of them) for something a little more underground: Rare 1980s Keith Haring subway drawings. The pop-up exhibition, HARINGS!, is a collaboration between Kanopi and Greenwich-based Trimper Gallery, transforming the restaurant into a gallery lounge and immersive listening room. Lining the walls will be Haring's bold, black-and-white chalk drawings, originally scrawled on blank advertising spaces in New York's subway stations, where millions could encounter them on their daily commute. Chef Anthony Gonçalves, a James Beard Award semifinalist who grew up steeped in New York City nightlife, is pairing the visual art with a soundtrack worthy of a downtown club in its prime. The curated playlist runs while guests take in Haring's kinetic, high-energy figures—proof that even in a white-tablecloth setting, his work retains every ounce of its street-level buzz. Of course, it wouldn't be Kanopi without food worth lingering over. The HARINGS! menu riffs on cosmopolitan indulgence: a towering seafood platter with oyster, lobster, tiger shrimp and hand-picked crab; a luxe Mishima Reserve wagyu katsu sando; sourdough flatbreads topped with anchovy, oregano-roasted yeast butter and lardo; and tempura in two directions—seasonal Hudson Valley vegetables or tiger shrimp in almond beer batter. Save room for desserts like playful Japanese milk ice cream sundaes with bourbon caramel and cookie crumble or fruit ice-pops in rotating flavors. HARINGS! marks the third creative pairing between Kanopi and Trimper Gallery, following showcases of work by photographer Tyler Shields and painter Lincoln Townley. This time, Gonçalves says, the collaboration felt like a natural evolution, melding the restaurant's refined intimacy with the raw pulse of 1980s New York. For art lovers, it's a chance to see original Haring works without trekking into the city (or fighting for elbow room in a packed museum). For diners, it's proof that fine dining can be just as adventurous as a late-night gallery crawl. And for anyone nostalgic for the days when you could stumble on great art between subway stops, it's a rare opportunity to sit with it, glass of vinho verde in hand.
Scotsman
7 hours ago
- Scotsman
New children's book uses storytelling to support anxious young minds post-pandemic
Debut author Dina Subasciaki launches Aneena and the Elephant, a therapeutic picture book designed to help children manage anxiety through the power of story Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A new children's book that gently helps children navigate anxiety, including when school-related, has officially launched. Aneena and the Elephant, written by debut author and child wellbeing specialist Dina Subasciaki and illustrated by Edinburgh-based artist Paulina Zawiska, is already being embraced by educators and therapists for its sensitive, age-appropriate approach to emotional resilience. With over 30 years' experience supporting children and young people, and a BA in Social Sciences, Subasciaki has drawn on both her professional background and her personal experiences as a mother and mindfulness teacher to create a story that speaks to the emotional needs of children growing up in a post-pandemic world. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dina says:'I've seen firsthand how storytelling can help children feel seen, safe and strong. Dina Subasciaki, Author of Aneena and the Elephant 'Children who can't find the words to express what they're going through often find themselves reflected in characters. Stories create a safe space to explore, understand and overcome big feelings.' The story follows Aneena, a young girl who feels overwhelmed by the thought of going to school. Her anxiety is brought to life in an accessible, visual way, until a kind and wise elephant arrives to help her navigate her emotions. With support, Aneena learns simple but powerful techniques to calm her mind and body, including breathing, grounding and positive thinking. Written with therapeutic intent and grounded in evidence-based psychological approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Aneena and the Elephant gently introduces emotional tools in a relatable, story-led way. Each page is thoughtfully illustrated to help children engage visually, while supporting adults in facilitating meaningful conversations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The book also includes access to adownloadable companion workbook with activities and discussion prompts designed for parents, educators, and therapists to use in classrooms, counselling sessions, or at home. The launch comes as school-based anxiety continues to rise, with many children still adjusting to disrupted routines, increased social demands, and developmental setbacks stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Children don't experience the world the way adults do,' Dina continues. 'They often live in the present without a reference point for what 'normal' used to be. For many, anxiety has become a constant companion: one they don't know how to name or manage. This book was written for those children, to help them feel understood and supported.' Early feedback from educators and clinicians has been overwhelmingly positive. Jan McKay, a psychological therapist with CAMHS, shared her thoughts about the book:'It's lovely to read about Aneena's journey with her wise elephant as she is introduced to helpful ideas drawn from evidence-based psychological models. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The benefits of cognitive restructuring, grounding techniques and positive self-talk are presented in such a beautifully illustrated and age-appropriate way for young readers. This book serves as an engaging and accessible resource for parents, teachers and clinicians to support children to try out these techniques and develop skills that will support them to overcome anxiety and improve their confidence and self-belief. Children will love the relationship between Aneena and her elephant…And the keen-eyed will be really touched by the self-affirming reveal in the illustration on the last page.' But that's not is already working on a follow-up, and she hopes to build a full series of therapeutic stories and classroom resources addressing common childhood struggles such as friendship difficulties, academic pressure, and transitional anxieties.
South Wales Guardian
10 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Irish president meets Princess Royal at his official Dublin residence
Anne is visiting Aras an Uachtarain (official residence) in what has been described as 'a courtesy call'. The King's sister met President Higgins and his wife, Sabina, on her second visit to the president's residence. She will later attend the official opening day of the 150th Dublin Horse Show at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS). During the visit Anne will tour a special exhibition on the history of the show and meet representatives from Festina Lente (a Bray-based charity offering equine-assisted learning and therapy services) and the Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland. The princess, who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games in the equestrian three-day event, will also present rosettes to the winners in Class 20 of the Small Hunters competition. President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina today received Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, at Áras an Uachtaráin. You can read the President's statement following the meeting at — President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) August 6, 2025 British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston, said: 'The Princess Royal's visit underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the significance of the 150th holding of the RDS Dublin Horse Show. 'Her Royal Highness has visited Ireland on many occasions, including as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union for their biannual Six Nations games here. 'Her visit this week reflects her lifelong interest in equestrianism and charitable work.' Queen Elizabeth II with then-Irish president Mary McAleese and the Duke of Edinburgh in Phoenix Park (PA)Anne previously visited the Aras in February 2004 during engagements where she was greeted by then-Irish president Mary McAleese. The princess was accompanied on that private visit by the British ambassador to Ireland at the time, Stewart Eldon. Members of the royal family have visited the president's residence on several occasions, including the historic trip by Queen Elizabeth II in May 2011. She was the first monarch to visit the Republic, where she signed a guest book at the Aras and planted an English oak tree at the Peace Bell. Her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, made solo visits to Aras an Uachtarain in November 1998 and again in April 2006. During their three-day visit to the Republic in 2020, the Prince and Princess of Wales – then titled the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – had a tea party with Mr Higgins and his wife at the Aras and met one of the president's dogs, Brod.
