Peeps®, the iconic marshmallow candy Made in Lehigh Valley since 1953, have a big fan in high places. 
Pope Leo XIV loves them.
“That’s his favorite candy on Earth,” the Pope’s brother, John Prevost, revealed during an interview a few months ago.
Peeps® are manufactured in Bethlehem by Just Born Quality Confections.
“We’re delighted that the Pope is among our most passionate Peeps® fans and that he chose to celebrate his birthday with them! Our iconic Chicks and Bunnies have spread joy for generations, and it’s wonderful to see that continue from Pennsylvania to the Vatican," the company said.
The family-owned company was founded by Sam Born, who grew up in Russia and immigrated to the United States from France.
Born innovated the candy industry with technology enabling the production of chocolate sprinkles and the hard chocolate coating used for Eskimo Pies. In 1916, he was awarded the keys to the city of San Francisco for inventing a machine that mechanically inserted sticks into lollipops. It was dubbed the “Born sucker machine.”
In 1923, Born opened a small retail store and factory in Brooklyn, advertising his daily made treats as “just born.” He moved his operation to Bethlehem in 1932. The company is now in its third generation of family ownership.
Just Born is just one of the globally known brands manufactured in the Lehigh Valley, a Top 15% manufacturing market that’s a major hub for producing beverages and food for people and pets. Those brands include Coca-Cola, Ocean Spray, Boston Beer Co., Nestle Purina, Freshpet, Bimbo Bakeries, and Bakerly/Norac.
The Lehigh Valley's nearly 700 manufacturers - making semiconductors, medical equipment and diagnostic tests, steel products, vehicles, plastics, chemicals, a variety of consumer goods, and much more - collectively produce an output of $9 billion annually, comprising 16% of the region’s Gross Domestic Product. Nationally, manufacturing is 12% of GDP.
Since 2010, manufacturing employment in the Lehigh Valley has surged three times as fast as the U.S., 28.8% compared to 9.6%. The food and beverage industry, in particular, has seen remarkable growth, with employment increasing by 76% over that time.
In addition to Peeps®, a staple of Easter baskets, Just Born’s products include Mike and Ike®, Hot Tamales®, and Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews®.
The Morning Call recently published an article about a reporter gifting Pope Leo XIV with Peeps® as a birthday present.