Pope Leo’s boyhood home in Chicago could go for more than $1 million

CNA Staff, Jun 14, 2025 / 09:00 am (CNA).

A small home in Dolton, Illinois, was on the market for $199,000 until a former inhabitant of the house became the pope. Now the humble 1,050-square-foot home just south of Chicago could go for more than a million dollars.

The three-bedroom brick structure with a spacious backyard was home to Pope Leo XIV — then Robert Prevost — during the pontiff’s childhood. Now, 212 E. 141st Place has become a piece of papal history as the home of the first-ever American pope. 

A private auction for the home, which is being held online, will close bidding on June 18.

Pope Leo’s childhood home is marked by a rosary hanging on the red door as well as a crowd of visitors in the yard. The home is only a 15-minute walk from the parish that the pope attended, the former St. Mary of the Assumption, which has since fallen into disrepair. 

The Cape Cod-style home, built in 1949, sold in May 2024 for $66,000. Leo’s family had owned the home for about 40 years, from the year Leo was born in 1955 up to his time as a missionary in Peru in 1996.

Officer Latonya Ruffin, who has been stationed in front of the house to keep an eye on the property, said it’s “an honor to do this.” 

“It’s an honor just to be here,” Ruffin told “EWTN News In Depth” reporter Mark Irons. “People come out, and they love him. They love this man.”

Peter Kamish, a Catholic from Chicago visiting the pope’s childhood home, said that he is “proud” to know that the first American pope came from the city.  

“I’m very proud of it,” he said, expressing hope that “maybe, the pope will come to Chicago.”

The current owner of the property, a real estate investor not related to the pope, had initially listed the home for just under $200,000. But when the new pope was announced to the world, the owner and his real estate agent withdrew the property from its public listing. 

The owner’s agent, a realtor named Steve Budzik, said he believes the home will sell at a very high price point. 

“I’ve talked to a lot of people every time I’m at the property, and everybody has pretty much told me that they think it will sell for over a million dollars,” Budzik said.

But what will happen to the home of Pope Leo XIV after it is sold? 

The village of Dolton is interested in turning it into a historic site. According to Budzik, the Archdiocese of Chicago is working with the village as well. Dolton officials say they could acquire the property by eminent domain if auction negotiations fall through.

“I think making it a museum would be very nice for Dolton,” Ruffin said.

When asked if the Vatican was interested, Budzik’s reply was brief.

“No comment,” he said. 

In the same week that the auction will conclude — and the fate of Leo’s historic home will be decided — a celebration will kick off at Rate Field in Chicago to honor Pope Leo. 

At the event at the Chicago White Sox’s home stadium, Pope Leo, a lifelong White Sox fan, is set to deliver a “special video message” on June 14 to the world’s youth.

Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/264755/pope-leo-s-boyhood-home-in-chicago-could-go-for-more-than-1-dollar-million