Pope Leo's childhood home in Chicago is up for sale
Share and Follow


()—The first American pope’s childhood home in south suburban Chicago will be sold to the highest bidder in an online private auction next month.

The current owner of the home in Dolton, Illinois, hit the real estate jackpot when Pope Leo XIV was elected the earthly leader of the Catholic Church this month.

The house was previously on the market but taken down after news of Pope Leo’s election. Pope Leo spent some of his younger years in the home just 30 minutes south of downtown Chicago.

spoke with the listing agent on Saturday, who said they will not entertain offers of less than $250,000 for the property.

Some neighbors want the home to be a public place for people to pray and be able to honor Pope Leo.

The three-bedroom home is 10,050 square feet and was built in 1949 and underwent remodeling in the last 12 months.

In May 2023, the home sold for $66,000 and hit the open market again in January before being taken down briefly in May, and after Leo was elected.

The pontiff’s family owned the Dolton home for nearly 50 years, and now visitors stop out front to take photographs.

The area has been beset by violence and other crimes in more recent years. But locals tell they hope Leo’s childhood home will be a beacon of what one can become.

“People are saying that it should be made a landmark, or something should be put there. Something like that would be nice to see it happen,” Dolton resident Mike Wolsky told .

Fellow resident Donna Sagna said the news of it being Pope Leo’s gave her “hope and joy.”

“This is definitely an act of God, definitely. Hopefully, we will see more change in our community. It’s getting better. Every community needs change,” Sagna told .

“There is a lot of poverty. You’re going to see crime, people with drugs, [and] abandoned property. That’s what we have. Im looking forward to the future of Dolton because God is here,” she added.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
How to make the most of a trip to Disneyland while sticking to a budget

Maximize Your Disneyland Adventure Without Breaking the Bank

DISNEYLAND — Going to Disney is a major event for families who…
NYC girls aged 12 and 13 meet tragic end after 'subway surfing' at 3am

Tragedy Strikes as Two NYC Teens, 12 and 13, Die in Late-Night Subway Surfing Accident

Two teenage girls who died after going subway surfing in New York…
'Ghislaine. I haven't heard that name in so long' Trump stuns reporter

“Trump Surprises Reporter with Comment: ‘Ghislaine. It’s Been Ages Since I’ve Heard That Name'”

CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins has been left stunned by Donald Trump after…
1-year-old baby found dead inside NYC apartment in apparent homicide: cops

Police discover body of 1-year-old child in NYC apartment, suspected homicide

The death of a 1-year-old baby boy within a Brooklyn affordable housing…
George Clooney admits to past drug use but says 'it was never a big issue for me at all'

George Clooney Acknowledges Previous Drug Use, Stating ‘It Was Never a Major Problem for Me’

George Clooney has shared insights about his youthful drug experiences, admitting to…
Medical Helicopter Crashes on Sacramento Highway, Leaving 3 Critically Injured (Video)

Tragic Helicopter Crash on Sacramento Highway Leaves Three Severely Injured (Watch Video)

Helicopter Accident on Sacramento Highway Results in Critical Injuries for Three |…
Trump confirms Diddy requested pardon in sex crimes case

Trump Confirms Diddy’s Request for Pardon in Sexual Misconduct Case

Combs was sentenced Friday to more than four years in federal prison…
St. Johns County operations net 36 arrests

St. Johns County Crackdown Leads to 36 Arrests

The St. Johns County Sheriff Office arrested 36 after operations targeting crimes…