Macomb Mayor Mike Inman met with Pope Leo XIV during a recent trip to the Vatican sponsored by the Illinois Municipal League.
“It was an opportunity for me as a lifelong Catholic Christian to be in a space that never would I have dreamed I would have the opportunity to be in,” Inman said.
“This was a little overwhelming. A guy from Macomb, Illinois being at this level of interacting with a world leader, it was something. It was absolutely something.”
The Illinois Municipal League delegation included around three dozen mayors.
Inman said Pope Leo, who grew up in Illinois, delivered remarks prepared for the group. The pope reminded the mayors that they are serving the people of their communities, and encouraged them to be attentive to those who are marginalized.
“It was an inspiring bit of advice and wisdom that the pope shared with us,” Inman said.
Inman said during his face-to-face meeting with the pope, he thanked him for “the inspirational words that he shared with us.” The mayor said he asked the pope if had any friends who attended Western Illinois University.
“He smiled and said he’s certain he did,” Inman said.
Inman said during the trip, he also got to speak with other Illinois mayors, many from central Illinois, about some of the issues they’re facing.
“We discussed rural healthcare. I had a conversation with one of them about how they dealt with ambulance service in their community,” Inman said.
He also spoke with other mayors about economic development issues.
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