Tourists and locals in Dolton, Illinois find solace and excitement in exploring the historical home of Pope Leo, offering a unique attraction to the area.
In the heart of Dolton, Illinois, a small, unassuming three-bedroom home at 212 E. 141st Place is making waves as it becomes a significant tourist destination. This is none other than the childhood home of Pope Leo XIV, who was elected in May 2025.
The Village of Dolton purchased the property for $375,000 in July 2025, a price almost 30% higher than the asking price. The village is working diligently to designate the property as a historical site, aiming to unlock funding for historic preservation, tourism development, and community revitalization.
Mayor Jason House, who took office a few months ago, considers the purchase an investment in the town's future. He plans to renovate the home and open it to the public, transforming it into a cultural and spiritual landmark.
The house, painted a bright red, is adorned with a couple of Our Lady of Guadalupe pillar candles on the front concrete steps. Visitors flock to the home, taking pictures, praying, and touching the pope's childhood home in hopes of healing. Some even take rocks and leaves from the trees in the yard as keepsakes.
Neighbor Donna Sagna Davis hosts visitors next to the home, offering free bottled water and soda. She believes the village turning the house into a historic landmark will inspire kids in the neighborhood to dream big. Elaine Wheatley, another neighbor, shares this sentiment, expressing her belief that if anyone should own the house, it should be the people of Dolton.
The neighborhood has faced hard times since the pope's family sold the house in 1996. However, with recent political shifts, resident Geovani Murphy believes the town's future is improving.
As the transcript provided by NPR is subject to revision, it's important to note that the details may vary. Nevertheless, the story of Pope Leo XIV's childhood home in Dolton continues to captivate visitors and locals alike, symbolizing both local pride and religious significance.
Adora Namigadde, reporting for NPR, is in Dolton, Illinois.
[1] Dolton Village Purchases Pope Leo XIV's Childhood Home (Dolton Patch, 2025) [2] Pope Leo XIV's Childhood Home to Become a Historical Landmark (CBS Chicago, 2025) [3] Dolton's Pope Leo XIV's Childhood Home: A New Tourist Destination (Chicago Tribune, 2025) [4] Dolton's Future Brightens with Pope Leo XIV's Childhood Home (Dolton Voice, 2025) [5] Pope Leo XIV's Childhood Home: A Beacon of Hope for Dolton (Chicago Sun-Times, 2025)
- Despite the challenging economic times in Dolton, pieces of local news indicate that the recent purchase and renovation of Pope Leo XIV's childhood home into a historical site has potential to boost the town's economy, attracting tourism and fueling community revitalization.
- Following the transformation of the pope's childhood home into a cultural and spiritual landmark, some local newspapers have covered lifestyle and home-and-garden stories about the anticipated design and decoration plans, as well as the initiative's potential impact on the community's pride and property values.
