See inside Pope Leo XIV's childhood home in Illinois
The Village of Dolton recently purchased the childhood home of Pope Leo XIV for $375,000, and is working to obtain landmark status for both the home and the abandoned St. Mary's of Assumption church and school, in an effort to bring tourism and economic growth to the area.
DOLTON, Ill. (WGN) — At first glance, it may not look like it, but the seeds of hope and faith are starting to grow in Dolton, Ill.
There are signs that better days are just around the corner on 141st Place.
Robert Prevost, born to Louis Prevost and Mildred Martínez on Sept. 14, 1955, was raised in the small brick home there in Dolton alongside his older brothers, Louis and John.
The village recently closed on the property that was the childhood home of Prevost, now known to the world as Pope Leo XIV.
Hours after the village purchased the property, a modest structure of three bedrooms and three baths that was recently renovated, Dolton trustees Kiana Belcher and Brittney Norwood got their first inside look at the home.
They brought Nexstar's WGN along for the tour.
The Dolton leadership team considered gaining ownership by way of eminent domain, but village attorney Burt Odelson was able to negotiate a purchase price with the previous owner of $375,000.
They are now working on getting landmark status. In time, the home will be open to the public for tours.
And only three blocks away is St. Mary’s of Assumption church and school, sold by the archdiocese several years ago. It is now abandoned and in disrepair, but the non-profit Preservation Chicago is working with the current owner to obtain landmark status as well.
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