Pope Leo XIV's childhood home in Illinois was for sale but is now off the market

Published: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 7:52 pm

Pope Leo XIV's Childhood Home: Off the Market After Historic Appointment

The real estate market is buzzing with the news of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, and his childhood home in Dolton, Illinois, is at the center of it. The three-bedroom house, previously owned by drug dealers, was recently listed for sale but has been swiftly removed from the market following the Vatican's announcement of Cardinal Robert Prevost's elevation to the papacy.

The house, originally built in 1949, was purchased in May 2024 for $66,000. The new owner renovated the property, expanding the living space to 1,200 square feet by converting the basement and adding central heating and air conditioning. The home was then listed for $219,000 in January 2024, with a contingent offer of $199,900 in April. The listing was re-posted on May 5th for the same price, but was taken down yesterday. The owner is now considering whether to sell the property for a higher price or transform it into a museum or national landmark.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, was born in Chicago and attended Villanova University. He holds degrees from the Augustinian Catholic university, the Catholic Theological Union, and the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas. He was ordained a priest in 1982 and has a strong connection to Peru, where he served as Bishop of Chiclayo. Prior to his election, he served as the president of the Vatican's Pontifical Commission for Latin America and the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. His brother, John Prevost, shared that Pope Leo XIV knew he was destined for the priesthood from a young age. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson celebrated the historic appointment, calling it a "tremendous moment" for the city.

Keywords: Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost, American Pope, Dolton Illinois, Chicago, childhood home, real estate, house for sale, Vatican, Cardinal, Villanova University, Catholic, museum, national landmark, first American pontiff

Full Story