IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli recently joined a group of labor leaders from the Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL) on a visit to the Vatican. The delegation, which included members of the CFL Executive Board, faith leaders from Chicago, a representative from the National AFL-CIO, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, and Cardinal Blasé Cupich, met privately with Pope Leo XIV. The meeting focused on the shared mission between the labor movement and the Catholic Church to support working people globally.
The pilgrimage was organized by the CFL and Father Clete Kiley, who serves on its Executive Board and works to strengthen connections between organized labor and the Catholic Church. Cardinal Cupich also played a key role in organizing the trip.
“It was a labor pilgrimage,” said Cicinelli. “The Chicago Federation of Labor, along with other labor affiliates, were invited because of our long-standing ties to the Church, to CFL Chaplain Father Kiley and to Cardinal Cupich, who was instrumental in Pope Leo’s election. Since Pope Leo is pro-labor and advocates to lift up the livelihoods of so many in need, we thought — why not go visit him along with the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, and Italy’s largest confederation of labor (CGIL) and start a dialogue about how we can work together.”
During their week-long stay in Rome, delegates attended panels at the Dicastery for Integral Human Development that addressed topics such as changes in work environments due to technology like artificial intelligence (AI), global migration trends affecting workers, integrating faith into union organizing efforts, and ethical concerns related to AI.
Labor leaders from both countries discussed similarities between their unions’ histories and current challenges. These included declining union membership rates, difficulties organizing new members amid rising right-wing movements in government policy circles both in Italy and the United States, as well as issues surrounding immigrant integration into workplaces.
“Their struggles are reflective of our struggles,” Cicinelli explained. “They’re fighting against an anti-union right-wing government similar to what we are experiencing here, and they’re facing the same challenges with organizing and maintaining union density. It made each of us aware that even though we are thousands of miles apart, we all share the same struggles — representing our members and uplifting those in need.”
Cicinelli participated specifically in discussions about artificial intelligence’s impact on jobs. He highlighted concerns about rapid adoption leading to job losses across sectors such as airlines, fast food restaurants, factories, retail stores—and even among delivery drivers—stressing that strong protections must be negotiated into future labor agreements.
“AI is taking off so rapidly that hopefully we’re not going to have an ‘oh no’ moment soon,” said Cicinelli. “It’s already displacing jobs in industries like the airlines, fast food, factories, and retail. There is even a pursuance of AI displacing semi, delivery and rideshare drivers. I worry about my children and future generations. Hopefully we can figure out how to use this technology in a way that benefits everyone from the top down.”
Reflecting on his experience at the Vatican meetings with religious leaders present alongside union representatives from both countries’ largest federations—including CGIL which represents roughly one-third of Italy’s population—Cicinelli noted potential new strategies for involving faith communities more directly during local labor disputes.
“I was made aware how we could involve the Church in our struggles,” he said. “What if, in addition to asking our legislators to intervene in labor disputes, the clergy in our communities also wrote letters to companies urging them to treat workers fairly? That moral voice could make a big difference.”
For Cicinelli personally—and professionally—the trip left a lasting impression: “I’ve always had a drive for doing what I do to help others but this just over-inflated enthusiasm… We left wanting do more—to organize more—to help more people achieve greater goals.”
Accordingly members plan further collaboration locally based on ideas discussed during their Vatican meetings—with possibilities open for another visit or hosting Pope Leo XIV should he travel stateside again.
“We’re already talking about what’s next,” said Cicinelli. “Whether it’s going back to Italy in immediate future or meeting Pope again if he visits U.S., this is just beginning.”
