arts
Illinois treasurer’s gift to Pope Leo? $8.65 of pontiff’s own money
By Kevin Boulandier at WSVN 7 News
· June 5, 2026
· 4 min read
Vatican City’s been a popular spot for Illinois dignitaries since Chicago native Robert Prevost ascended to the papacy last year. Leaders from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to lawmakers to Gov. JB Pritzker have come bearing gifts for Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV — a Chicago-brewed “Da Pope” be
Key takeaway 14 jersey, Chicago White Sox gear and more.
Why this matters in The Miami
The story of Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs gifting Pope Leo XIV $8.65 of his own money may seem like a quirky tale from afar, but for Miami residents, it serves as a reminder of the broader issue of unclaimed property. Miami-Dade County has its own share of unclaimed funds, with the Florida Department of Financial Services holding millions of dollars in unclaimed property accounts. As the state's largest county, Miami-Dade likely has a significant portion of these funds, waiting to be reclaimed by their rightful owners. The creative approach taken by Frerichs to return the pontiff's money highlights the importance of proactive efforts to reunite people with their lost assets. Miami's own treasurer and financial officials could take a cue from Frerichs' marketing strategy to raise awareness about unclaimed property and help return more money to local residents.
About this story
Original reporting by WSVN 7 News . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSVN 7 News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: arts ·
Published: June 5, 2026 ·
Source: WSVN 7 News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Vatican City’s been a popular spot for Illinois dignitaries since Chicago native Robert Prevost ascended to the papacy last year. Leaders from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to lawmakers to Gov. JB Pritzker have come bearing gifts for Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV — a Chicago-brewed “Da Pope” be
When was this published? This article was first published on June 5, 2026 by WSVN 7 News and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kevin Boulandier at WSVN 7 News. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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