Illinois community coming together to buy Pope’s old home

The village of Dolton in Illinois has decided to purchase Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home.

While some have raised concerns that the move is a poor use of public resources, others suggest that it is best that such a spot of note be within the hands of the local people fairly than corporate investors.

A Tuesday evening meeting by the village Board of Trustees unanimously voted to amass the property.

Jason House, the mayor of Dolton, said that despite the potential cost, it was necessary to seize a “historic opportunity”.

“We can either seize this moment and move it forward or we are able to let that moment go to an investor. I would love for our community to get the advantages of this chance,” he said. 

House also acknowledge concerns amongst residents that the project may potentially mean less funds for basic services within the village.

The financial health of the village has previously been called into query. Former Chicago Mayor, Lori Lightfoot was asked to analyse Dolton’s financial position. She found that Dolton’s debt stood at $3.65 million and was mounting.

Much of the blame for Dolton’s poor funds has been placed on the previous mayor, Tiffany Henyard. Lightfoot claimed Henyard had engaged in unchecked spending and deception, something Henyard denies. As recently as 2022 Dolton actually ran a budget surplus.

House said that the village is “fully committed” to making sure that bills are paid and sufficient funds are put aside for infrastructure and street repair.

Supporters of the proposal to purchase the Pope’s childhood home also pointed to the instance of other former papal houses around the globe that attract tourists – indeed tourists and pilgrims have already began to visit Dolton.

One village trustee, Stanley Brown, suggested that the prospect to purchase the village was a present from God to be able to “strengthen” Dolton.

It just isn’t known how much the village intends to pay for the home, although real estate company Zillow states that the property last sold for $131,900 in January 2019.