Real Estate

Chicago Suburb Plans to Seize Pope Leo’s Childhood Home

The pope’s childhood home in Dolton, Illinois

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By Miranda Davis

May 20, 2025 at 11:56 PM UTC

Updated on

May 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM UTC

A Chicago-area town plans to take control of Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home to turn it into a local landmark, just days after the current owner put the property up for auction.

The law firm representing Dolton, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of downtown Chicago, sent a letter Tuesday to the auction company saying that the village intends to take possession of the property through eminent domain.