Pope Leo XIV's childhood home in Illinois to open as tourist attraction
The modest brick home in the Chicago suburb of Dolton, population 21,000, was sold by its current owner for $375,000, WGN television said.
It said the owner had bought the house for $66,000 last year -- prior to Pope Leo's election as the first American pontiff -- and done extensive renovations.
The Dolton village board of trustees voted earlier this month to purchase the three-bedroom house and turn it into an attraction open to the public.
According to WBEZ Chicago radio, the parents of Pope Leo -- born Robert Prevost -- bought the house in 1949 and sold it in 1996 AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Taiwan's musical garbage trucks blend waste collection with social bonding
TAIPEI: Taiwanese residents gather on sidewalks, plastic bags in hand, as a yellow garbage truck approaches, its loudspeakers filling the air with Beethoven's 'Fur Elise.' This decades-old tradition signals it's time to take out the trash, blending efficiency with an unexpected social ritual. 'When we hear this music, we know it's time to take out the trash. It's very convenient,' said 78-year-old Lee Shu-ning, waiting outside her Taipei apartment. Residents toss general waste into the truck while food scraps and recyclables go into separate bins. For many elderly, the daily routine doubles as a chance to socialize. 'I can chat with old neighbours and friends. It's nice,' Lee added. Not everyone finds the system ideal. 'It's inconvenient because it comes at a fixed time,' said beautician Dai Yun-wei, 31. 'Sometimes we're not home or busy, so we can't throw away the trash.' Taiwan's musical garbage trucks date back to the 1960s, explained Shyu Shyh-shiun from Taipei's Department of Environmental Protection. Originally equipped with 'Fur Elise' by German manufacturers, the trucks later adopted Tekla Badarzewska-Baranowska's 'Maiden's Prayer.' Operating five days a week, the trucks have become a cultural staple. Some, like 76-year-old Yang Xiu-ying, have turned trash collection into a livelihood. She earns NT$11,200 ($380) monthly by sorting and disposing of waste for 28 households. 'Some people get off work late, some elderly find it inconvenient, so I help,' Yang said. Younger generations seek digital solutions. The app Tracle, co-founded by Ben Chen, allows users to schedule trash pickups. 'We save a lot of time for them,' Chen said. 'We enhance their life quality.' Taiwan's waste management has transformed over 30 years. Once plagued by overflowing landfills, the island now boasts a 67% recycling rate, up from 2% in 2000. Residents must use government-approved blue bags for general waste, encouraging recycling. 'In the beginning, everybody felt it was inconvenient,' Shyu admitted. 'But now, they see cleaner streets and agree it's a good policy.' And the trucks? Shyu smiled. 'They're almost always on time.' - AFP
Herald Malaysia
a day ago
- Herald Malaysia
Pope encourages Pax Christi to continue to promote nonviolence
Pope encourages Pax Christi to continue to promote nonviolence In a message to participants in Pax Christi USA's annual National Assembly, Pope Leo says 'efforts to promote nonviolence are all the more necessary' in a world facing the challenges including war, division, and forced migration. Jul 27, 2025 Pope Leo (file photo) By Christopher Wells 'In the midst of the many challenges facing our world at this time, including widespread armed conflict, division among peoples, and the challenges of forced migration, efforts to promote nonviolence are all the more necessary,' says Pope Leo XIV in a message to the National Assembly of Pax Christi USA. The US branch of the international Catholic peace movement is meeting in Detroit, Michigan, this weekend (25-27 July) for a conference focused on 'Reclaiming the power of nonviolence in a broken world'. In his message, which was read to participants during opening ceremonies on Friday night, Pope Leo invited participants to recall that 'after the violence of the Crucifixion, the Risen Christ's first words to the Apostles offered peace,' a peace that is 'unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering'. Jesus, he continued, 'continues to send His followers into the world to become creators of peace in their daily lives'. Therefore 'it is all the more important for a Church capable of reconciliation to be present and visible' in parishes, neighbourhoods, and especially on the peripheries of society. Pope Leo expressed his hope that the National Conference would inspire members of Pax Christi USA to work to make their local communities ''houses of peace' where one learns how to defuse hostility through dialogue, where justice is practiced and forgiveness is cherished'. By doing so, he said, 'you will enable many more people to embrace Saint Paul's invitation to live at peace with their brothers and sisters'. The Holy Father concluded his Message by entrusting the Assembly to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church and imparting his Apostolic Blessing to participants.--Vatican News
Herald Malaysia
2 days ago
- Herald Malaysia
Letter from Gaza: The last word is for life and peace
L'Osservatore Romano's young contributor who was wounded in the Israeli attack on the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza, shares his recollection of the raid and the beginning, for him, of a path of recovery. He affirms that even in the face of violence and despair, the final word belongs not to war, but to life and peace. Jul 26, 2025 Displaced Palestinians flee Beit Lahia, north of Gaza City (AFP or licensors) By Suhail Abu DawoodHello everyone! I'm happy to be back with another article. Today is the 656th day of war, suffering, and death in our beloved Gaza Strip. Thursday, 24 July, marked exactly one week since I was injured while I walked to the Father's house inside our church compound... It was 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, 17, for my lesson on spirituality. The bomb was so strong I couldn't protect myself from the fragments, so sadly, I was injured on my lower back. The fragment damaged my right leg and caused some serious injuries inside my stomach and abdomen. I felt an excruciating pain and dropped to the floor, face down, and I started bleeding heavily. Thank be to God, Father Gabriel and Father Iusuf saw that I was injured, so they called the ambulance to take me. Father Gabriel kneeled on the floor and held my head ( He has problems in his knees ), and Father Carlos was also with us as we prayed: O Lord Jesus, help us! O Holy Virgin Mary… Thanks to God, they managed to take me to the Al-Ahly Hospital 10 minutes after I was injured. The situation there was something I couldn't describe; it was so awful. They put me in an emergency tent on the floor, and my mother, my father, my aunt, and Father Carlos stayed with me all the time. Never in my life had I felt such pain and suffering. After so many days and months, I was wounded because of the war, and instead of bringing the news of the war to you, I was the news. I will not forget what the Fathers told me when the pain was intolerable. They said to me: Remember the Calvary! Jesus was there, on the cross, suffering and dying, and you too put all your sufferings and pain on the Cross. Finally, after 2 hours of waiting, at noon, I was taken into Surgery to be operated on. Many fragments inside my abdomen caused infections. The surgery took about 5 hours, and I woke up at 7:00 pm. Many people came to visit me: my family, parishioners, and, of course, our Fathers. I was totally out of focus. My injury isn't the end of writing, but it's the beginning of a new, empty page. As always, the last word isn't for death and war, but for life and peace. Because peace is stronger than war… To be continued.... --Vatican News
