Pope Leo’s papacy begins… Meanwhile, back in Dolton

As Pope Leo XIV settles into his role as head of the Catholic Church, a storm is brewing thousands of miles away in the small Illinois village where he grew up. While the newly elected pontiff moves swiftly to implement sweeping reforms in the Vatican, the village of Dolton faces mounting legal pressure over its attempt to purchase the childhood home of the pontiff.

In his first month as pontiff, Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, has wasted no time making his mark. According to National Catholic Reporter, he has already convened an emergency synod to address the global clergy shortage and is fast-tracking efforts to create a new Vatican sustainability council. Leo, who is known for his progressive theology and working-class roots, has emphasized economic justice, climate action, and accountability within church leadership.

Back home in Dolton, however, those same themes are fueling controversy. A federal court motion filed June 15 seeks to block the village’s use of taxpayer funds to acquire the modest two-story home at 212 East 141st Place, where Leo lived as a child.Lavelle Redmond, an ex-employee of the village of Dolton, filed the suit, accusing Dolton of dodging its bills. Attorney Matthew R. Custardo, who filed the motion to stop the purchase, called it a “symbolic real estate stunt.”

“This isn’t about stopping history. It’s about stopping hypocrisy,” Custardo added. “If Dolton is broke in court, it can’t afford to buy commemorative property.”

According to public records, Dolton’s general fund is in the red, and the village owes millions in legal judgments, including a recently upheld $33.5 million debt. Despite this, officials have expressed interest in acquiring the pope’s former home, possibly through eminent domain. This legal process enables governments to compel the sale of property for public use, typically to create a public landmark or museum honoring their most famous former residents.

The auction of the now-famous house, originally set to close on June 18, has been extended to July 17. The extension allows more time for potential buyers and for the village to negotiate with the current owner. A federal judge dismissed a legal motion to block the village’s purchase, ruling that former employee Redmond lacked the legal standing to challenge the sale. If negotiations fail, Dolton officials have indicated that they may pursue ownership through eminent domain, a process that allows governments to acquire private property for public use with fair compensation.

In tandem, the village plans to establish a nonprofit to help fundraise for preserving the home, supporting the restoration of the pope’s former parish, St. Mary of the Assumption, and revitalizing the area, with interest from preservation groups like Preservation Chicago.

Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV has not commented publicly on the situation. Vatican insiders say he has been briefed on the controversy but remains focused on church matters, particularly a high-level initiative to audit Vatican finances, a move many see as symbolic of his broader push for institutional reform.

“Pope Leo’s life and ministry have always been about elevating the marginalized and holding the powerful accountable,” said Father Marco Delvecchio, a Vatican spokesperson. “His legacy in Dolton should be preserved, but not at the expense of justice or transparency.”

The house may have holy roots, but its fate is entangled in small-town politics, legal drama, and a pope who has already moved on.