‘Make a larger profit': Pope Leo's childhood home is for sale
The owner of Pope Leo XIV's childhood home in the suburbs of Chicago yanked the humble abode off the market overnight with potential plans to jack up the price — after learning the Catholic Church's new world leader once lived there, The New York Post reports.
The eyes of the world were fixated on the Sistine Chapel on May 8, when white smoke began billowing from its chimney, indicating that a new pope had been selected on the second day of the historic religious process.
Soon after, Chicago-born cardinal Robert Francis Prevost stepped out onto the Vatican balcony, his first appearance as the newly appointed Pope Leo XIV.
Focus quickly turned to the small three-bedroom, three-bathroom abode in which the Prevost family spent many years during his childhood, with property records revealing that the dwelling had actually been listed for sale in January with an asking price of $219,000 ($A343,800).
'[The real-estate agent] called me and said, 'Hey, the pope used to live in your house.' I'm like, 'Stop joking,' ' said Pawel Radzik, a property flipper who was ready to unload the home for around $200,000 before realising it's now a gold mine.
'I'm going to keep it for now,' Radzik said. 'I'm excited. … I'm lucky to have it.'
His Realtor, Steve Budzik, told The New York Post, 'It's like a winning lottery ticket.
'What are the chances?'
After learning of the pad's now-famous roots late Thursday, Radzik is increasing the price before putting it back on the market or even potentially turning it into a museum or another historic landmark.
The property, which is listed under an LLC, offers 111.5 sqm of living space and has a humble exterior surrounded by lush greenery.
Inside, there is an open floor plan that accentuates the main living area and cozy fireplace.
The average-sized kitchen comes complete with a marble countertop and ample cabinet space.
On Thursday — after the world learned Chicago native Robert Prevost was named the first American pope — Radzik received four offers on the five-bedroom, two-bathroom house.
Radzik, who moved from Poland in 2006, said he was at a doctor's appointment with his pregnant wife when his Realtor called with the jaw-dropping news of his property's provenance.
The homeowner — a father of two who was quick to note he and his wife will not be calling their soon-to-be-born third child, a boy, Leo — said the house had been essentially gutted for resale.
The only thing still original are the walls,'' he said.
'Everything else was replaced.'
Previous residents of the home were known for bringing trouble to the block by dealing drugs from it, neighbours told The New York Post.
'[There was] drug-trafficking. Then it stopped. Then another family moved in, and there was a lot of violence,' said next-door neighbour Donna Sagna-Davis, adding she often felt 'harassed.'
'We prayed and prayed,' she said, adding news of the pope's pad could help the area. 'This is going to make it even better.'
Sagna-Davis wants the home to become 'a special landmark for our community, for people to come here and pray.'
The modest-looking abode — which the pope's family bought in 1949, paying a $US42 monthly mortgage — had previously been on the market for more than 100 days.
'It was listed for 200 [thousand dollars], but there is no way he's going to sell it for 200 with all the value it has now,' Budzik said.
'I'm sure people have a similar idea to make it for tours.'
However, US residents were quick to slam the opportunistic owner, calling him out for his 'greed'.
'This kind of price gouging should be illegal. Just because a house has historical or celebrity value doesn't justify inflating the price to outrageous levels,' said Mario.
'Personally I'd avoid it like the plague,' said Arabella.
'Ah yes, good old fashioned American Greed never goes out of style,' said Whodat.
Radzik, who was seen Friday cleaning up the house as a throng of media flocked to the property, said renovators painted floors and added bedrooms to the house.
'It's been quite interesting the last 24 hours,'' Budzik added.
'Just with all the activity and people are making offers and calling and wanting to see it.'
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