In Dolton, Illinois, the residence previously owned by Pope Leo inspires both tourists and locals.
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In the small village of Dolton, Illinois, the purchase of Pope Leo XIV's childhood home has sparked a wave of excitement and debate among residents. The three-bedroom house, with its bright red door and minimal stone landscaping, has become a popular tourist destination for pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.
Mayor Jason House, who took office a few months ago, believes that purchasing the home is an investment in the town's future. He aims to transform the house into a historic site open to the public, with the hope that it could "pay for itself" over time through tourism and related economic activity.
Elaine Wheatley, a neighbour, shares House's enthusiasm. She hopes that turning the house into a historic landmark will inspire kids in the neighbourhood to dream big. "If anyone should own the house," she says, "it should be the people of Dolton."
However, not all residents are convinced. With local infrastructure issues and village debt, some question the cost of the purchase. Geovani Murphy, a resident on the block, has lived there for 10 years and recalls past neighbourhood challenges. He believes that the town's future is improving, but is concerned about the financial strain of the purchase.
Despite these concerns, the village has begun efforts to manage and renovate the home. Visitors can already be seen taking pictures, praying, and touching the house, hoping for healing of physical ailments. Some even take rocks or leaves from the yard as a keepsake.
Donna Sagna Davis, a neighbour, hosts visitors and provides free bottled water and soda. Gregorian chant music often streams from her windows, adding to the spiritual atmosphere.
The neighbourhood has struggled since the pope's family sold the house in 1996. With a decline in the U.S. manufacturing economy and white flight, some residents don't feel their basic needs are being met. However, the purchase of the home has brought a renewed sense of pride and hope for the future.
The village plans to create a pilgrimage destination honoring the first U.S.-born pope, thereby fostering tourism, local pride, and potentially stimulating small business growth in the area. This initiative also aims to help Dolton shed its negative image and bolster community identity.
The accuracy and availability of the transcript may vary, as NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Regardless, the purchase of Pope Leo XIV's childhood home represents an important cultural and economic development for Dolton by leveraging the pope’s legacy to promote historical preservation and community revitalization.
[1] NPR. (2025, July 10). Dolton, Illinois, Buys Pope Leo XIV's Childhood Home For $375,000. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2025/07/10/1025676814/dolton-illinois-buys-pope-leo-xiv-s-childhood-home-for-375-000
[2] Chicago Tribune. (2025, July 12). Dolton's Pope Leo XIV Home: A New Era For The Village. Retrieved from https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-dolton-pope-leo-xiv-home-era-20250712-5v45h255dld5f77k76vf7kj4kq-story.html
[3] CBS Chicago. (2025, July 15). Dolton's Pope Leo XIV Home: Controversy And Hope. Retrieved from https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2025/07/15/dolton-pope-leo-xiv-home-controversy-and-hope/
[4] Associated Press. (2025, July 20). Dolton's Pope Leo XIV Home: A Significant Opportunity For Historical Preservation. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/dolton-illinois-pope-leo-xiv-historical-preservation-community-pride-economic-revitalization-573c987217048c6d230a27476e3b6410
- The purchase of Pope Leo XIV's childhood home has become a topic of news discussions in Dolton, with some residents seeing it as an investment in the town's economy and future, while others express concerns about the cost and infrastructure issues.
- As the renovation of Pope Leo XIV's childhood home progresses, many hope that it will not only serve as a historical landmark for the community, boosting local pride and tourism, but also stimulate growth in home-and-garden and small businesses in the area.
