Edgar Beltrán, The Pillar⯠via Wikimedia Commons
By Ben Barry
Pope Leo XIV's hometown has voted to buy his childhood home.
The 1,050sqft home in Dolton, south Chicago, was bought by the Pope's parents in 1949. They paid a monthly mortgage of $49 on it and it was owned by the Prevost family for nearly 50 years.
Initially, the three-bedroom home where Pope Leo XIV grew up was put up for sale on May 5 for $245,957, but was quickly taken down after Robert Prevost was elected pope.
It was then put up for auction, but the homeowner decided to sell out of auction to the Dolton Village Board.
The childhood home of Pope Leo XIV in Dolton, Chicago, Illinois. (PRESTIGE REAL ESTATE IMAGES INC via SWNS)
And the board voted unanimously last night (1) in a special meeting to approve the purchase of the house.
The final price has not been disclosed but Burt Odelson, who orchestrated the deal, said it was "significantly lower than what they thought they would get".
Childhood homes of former Popes have become museums and pilgrimage sites, bringing in thousands of tourists.
Tourists have already been flocking to the Dolton home, with some arriving within hours of Leo becoming Pope.
Dolton village leaders praised the purchase of the Pope's home as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity".
Dolton Mayor Jason House said, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"We can either seize this moment and move it forward, or we can let that moment go to an investor.
The inside of the home. (PRESTIGE REAL ESTATE IMAGES INC via SWNS)
I would like our community to get the benefits of this opportunity."
Despite the mayor's delight at the purchase, some residents raised their doubts over the project.
In recent years, Dolton has struggled after the loss of manufacturing jobs.
One resident, Mary Avent, questioned the board's decision to buy the property and how they will pay for its upkeep.
She said: "Purchasing the pope’s residence is admirable, but with the state we’re in right now, do we have the money? And even if we do, there’s something called upkeep.
"In my opinion, a house is a pimp because it demands money every day.”
Other residents raised issues with financing basic city infrastructure, including the sewers, storefronts, and roads.
The backyard. (PRESTIGE REAL ESTATE IMAGES INC via SWNS)
Rev. Ryan Reese said: "We need to be mindful of the issues the city has.
"You have a difficult situation finding out the finances of the community. You’re basically driving over gravel right now."
The hope from the Mayor is that the Pope's former home will spark a revival for Dolton.
And some board members are saying that the house is already sparking more interest in the town.
Trustee Edward Steave said: "If you ever see the traffic over there, the constant busloads in and out of our town, this is a great opportunity for us.
"This is a historical thing."
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