T
he childhood home of Pope Leo XIV in Dolton, Illinois, was purchased by the village after being put up for sale for $245,957. The house had been owned by the Prevost family since 1949 and was initially taken off the market when Robert Prevost became pope. It was later sold to the Dolton Village Board at a price significantly lower than expected.

    The three-bedroom home has become a tourist attraction, with visitors flocking to see where Pope Leo XIV grew up. The village hopes that the property will spark a revival for Dolton, which has struggled in recent years due to the loss of manufacturing jobs.

    However, some residents have raised concerns about the purchase, citing the need for basic city infrastructure improvements and questioning how the village will pay for the upkeep of the property. Despite these doubts, the board voted unanimously to approve the purchase, with the mayor stating that it was a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" for the community.

    The house has already generated interest in the town, with tourists visiting and taking pictures outside the property. The village is now looking to turn the Pope's former home into a museum or pilgrimage site, similar to other childhood homes of former popes.