Chicago Suburb Will Buy Pope Leo XIV's Boyhood Home .

Officials in Dolton, Ill., called the purchase a rare opportunity. But some residents questioned whether the village, grappling with a deficit and potholes, could afford it.

The Chicago suburb where the first American pope grew up will buy the boyhood home of Leo XIV, which local officials have been looking to preserve as a landmark since the pontiff’s election in May.

In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, the Board of Trustees in Dolton, Ill., agreed to acquire the modest three-bedroom house on East 141st Place — about 20 miles south of downtown Chicago — for a yet-to-be-determined amount.

Officials said that the village should not pass up the rare chance to own the property, which was put up for auction online with a reserve price of $250,000 around the time of Leo XIV’s installation. . .

Kiana Belcher, one of the trustees, said opportunities like this were extremely rare.'

“Unless,” Ms. Belcher said, “we have another pope or some famous person come from Dolton.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/us/pope-leo-chicago-childhood-home.html