Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home to become tourist site

The childhood home of Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, has been purchased by his hometown of Dolton, Illinois, with plans to transform the residence into a historical landmark open to the public.

Local media reports on Friday confirmed that the modest three-bedroom brick home in the Chicago suburb of Dolton was sold for $375,000.

The house had been purchased for just $66,000 last year by a private owner who completed extensive renovations before listing it for sale, shortly before Robert Prevost’s election as Pope Leo XIV.

With a population of about 21,000, the village of Dolton sees the acquisition as a source of pride and a unique opportunity to preserve the legacy of one of its most prominent sons. The Dolton Village Board of Trustees unanimously voted earlier this month to purchase the property and designate it a historical site.

According to WBEZ Chicago, Pope Leo’s parents originally bought the house in 1949 and kept it until 1996. The home stands as a testament to the pontiff’s humble beginnings in a working-class American neighbourhood.

Village officials say the site will be restored to reflect its mid-20th-century condition and will include exhibits detailing Pope Leo’s early life, spiritual journey, and path to the papacy. They also hope the property will become a point of cultural and educational interest for residents, pilgrims, and tourists.

The transformation of the home into a public landmark is expected to begin later this year.