Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home in Dolton draws attention

DOLTON, Ill. (WGN) — A small, single-family house in the south suburbs is generating a lot of attention for being Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home.

“I was saying to my friends, look, the next Pope could be from Dolton” said Mike Wolski, a longtime Dolton resident. “And they said, ope, they’ll never pick anybody from the United States. And sure enough, the one from Dolton wins.”

Wolski was one of many who stopped by the small home on 141st Place to celebrate Pope Leo XIV’s election.

Donna Sagna, who has lived next to the home for the last eight years, said it’s a beautiful moment for Illinois, knowing the new Pope was born in Chicago and raised in the south suburbs.

“It’s rehabbed and it’s beautiful inside,” Sagna said, “I hope it continues to be a historical place for us all because … I think they should keep it as a beautiful, historic landmark for Illinois.”

The owner of the home, who did not wish to speak on camera, told WGN News that he purchased the property six to seven months ago, with his original plan being to rehab the home and rent out the property.

But after learning its history, he said he feels he can make a larger profit off the property.

Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago and raised in Dolton, was elected to lead the Catholic Church as their 267th pope.

He will be known as Pope Leo XIV and will become the first pope from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.