Auction of Pope Leo XIV's childhood Chicago home extended

News.com.au

5 hours ago

The highly-publicised auction of Pope Leo XIV's childhood home has been extended by a month — after it was revealed the Chicago suburb where he was raised was launching a bid to acquire the humble dwelling so it can be preserved as a local landmark.
Pope Leo, who was born Robert Francis Prevost, spent several years living in a small three-bedroom, three-bathroom dwelling in Dolton, Illinois. His father, Louis Prevost, sold the property in 1996, according to records, after which it was sold on two other occasions.
According to Realtor, the current owner, property flipper Pawel Radzik, acquired the three-bedroom, three-bathroom abode in March 2024 for $US66,000 ($A101,553) and had initially planned to renovate it, then sell it off — until that is, one of its former residents was chosen to succeed the late Pope Francis during the conclave in May.
At the time, the property was on the market for just $US199,900 ($A307,605); however, it was swiftly delisted just hours after Pope Leo's new historical role was revealed.
It was later revealed the home was being put up for auction via Paramount Realty USA — with listing agent Steve Budzik noting the decision to sell the property to the highest bidder came after his team struggled to settle on an appropriate listing price for an abode with such historical significance.
However, the home's journey took another twist when the Village of Dolton, with support from the Chicago Archdiocese, announced plans to acquire the house, either by buying it, or by using eminent domain to take over ownership.
'The Village of Dolton intends to purchase this home either through direct purchase or through their eminent domain power,' Odelson wrote in a letter sent to Paramount Realty USA, according to the New York Times.
'The Village intends to work with the Chicago Archdiocese and other agencies to allow the home to be viewed and visited by the public as a historic site.'
Odelson added discussions with the seller were underway, saying the Village of Dolton and the local archdiocese would prefer not to rely on eminent domain for the acquisition of the home because it would garner too much media attention.
'[It] keeps the home in the news and not the light that the village or the church want,' he said. 'We don't want it to be a controversy; we want it to be a sacred site.'
Initially, the auction of the property was due to close on June 18. However, an update to the listing has now extended the bidding process to July 17, with Budzik explaining to Realtor.com via email this was done in order to 'allow more time for bidders to review, perform due diligence, and bid'.
A spokesperson for Paramount Realty USA added the extended auction window will also give bidders an opportunity to 'tour the property' if they wish.
Neither Budzik nor Paramount Realty USA commented on whether negotiations with the Village of Dolton had any bearing on the decision to extend the auction.
After Dolton announced its plans to acquire the home, Budzik told Realtor.com his client was very much open to working with its representatives, as well as the Chicago Archdiocese, stating in an email: 'The seller is open to the potential opportunity of working with the Village of Dolton to purchase the property at fair market value.
'We also understand that the Chicago Archdiocese could be involved in making this a historical landmark, which is great news for the seller. We would love to come to a mutually beneficial agreement in the coming days.'
To make matters more complicated, CBS News reported on June 16 a motion had been filed seeking a preliminary injunction to block the Village of Dolton from using taxpayer money in order to buy Pope Leo's childhood home.
This motion is understood to have been filed as part of an ongoing wrongful termination lawsuit filed against Dolton by a former employee, Lavell Redmond, who claimed in a 2022 filing that his employers had refused to discuss terms of a settlement because the village did not have sufficient funds.
In his June 15 motion, Redmond's lawyers claimed Dolton is in 'severe financial distress' and made several allegations of financial mismanagement, unresolved legal obligations, and a potential misuse of taxpayer funds.
Matthew R. Custardo, the lawyer who filed the motion, stated to WGN9 the injunction was being sought in order to stop 'hypocrisy,' insisting the injunction would in no way hinder the sale of the home but rather prevent local politicians from using taxpayer funds in order to take it over.
'This isn't about stopping history. It's about stopping hypocrisy,' he said.
'You can't cry broke in court and then try to spend taxpayer funds on non-essential acquisitions.'
While bids for the property start at $US250,000 ($A385,148), it is widely predicted the home could sell for much more, although experts have hesitated to put a specific value on the property in the weeks since the auction was announced.
The online auction house also provides a copy of the original purchase deed from the 1949 sale of the home to Pope Leo's father, Louis, which is dated March 3 of that year.