10-05-2025
Travelers can ‘fly like a cardinal' on direct Chicago-to-Rome flight in honor of Pope Leo, charter company reveals in cheeky new ad
Blessed are the jet-setters.
A charter company is inviting travelers to fly in divine style on a direct route from Pope Leo XIV's native Chicago to Italy's iconic capital in celebration of his becoming the first American pontiff.
Velocity Jets unveiled a quirky new ad enticing curious tourists to 'Fly Like a Cardinal' and 'Land Like a Legend' with a special trip to Rome — and featured an AI image of a cardinal and two young, attractive nuns in their traditional habits dancing aboard a private jet with a DJ spinning tracks in the background.
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3 The new ad featured an AI image of a cardinal and two nuns dancing aboard a private jet with a DJ in the background.
Velocity Jets
'The white smoke has risen, and the Vatican has spoken: Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, has officially taken the helm,' the religious pun-based ad stated.
'Whether you're spiritually inspired, historically intrigued, or just ready for Roman pasta and Prosecco, we've got your direct line to Vatican City.'
3 Pope Leo XIV, the first American to ascend to the papacy, is from Chicago.
Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
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The Florida-based business said customers can expect to fly on their Gulfstream 550 — a 50.2-foot jet that seats eight passengers and cruises at speeds up to 509 mph — for the lavish excursion from the Windy City to the Eternal City.
3 Velocity Jets said travelers can expect to fly on their Gulfstream 550 jet.
Facebook/Velocity Jets
The direct flight would include 'Heavenly catering & Miraculous Car Service,' the company teased.
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'Do you want guaranteed access to heaven-sent jets like this one — anytime, anywhere??' the playful faith-driven campaign pushed.
'This week, the Cardinals chose their leader. You just need to choose your aircraft.'
While Velocity Jets did not disclose the sanctified sum of the flights — flyers need to inquire for that — prices 'ranged on average between $24,894 and $41,654 per flight,' according to a 2022 blog post on its website.
