Dolton Mayor Jason House won't rule out public purchase of Pope Leo XIV's childhood home
Despite Pope Leo XIV's childhood home being recently listed for auction, Dolton Mayor Jason House said Friday he has not ruled out taking public ownership of the property via eminent domain.
'I'm interested in a peaceful transfer,' House, who was sworn in as mayor May 5, told the Daily Southtown.
He said he is excited for the property's potential as an attraction and historical landmark, and is prioritizing ensuring it is 'honored in the proper way.'
House said it's too early to say how much the village would be willing to pay for the 1,050-square-foot home on 141st Place or whether it should be converted into a museum or historical landmark. He said he plans to speak with the homeowner early next week to discuss the property.
Homer Glen-based home rehabber Pawel Radzik paid $66,000 for the modest, three-bedroom, ranch-style brick house without knowing just a year later its former occupant would be named the leader of the Catholic church. Real estate broker Steve Budzik said Friday Radzik listed the home in January for $219,000 but pulled it after the pope's election generated a high volume of interest.
Budzik said he heard rumors circulating about interest in public ownership before he and Radzik decided to list the home for auction.
'I don't know if that's — I don't know the word I would use — a justifiable means of getting the property,' Budzik said. 'So that's again why we did an auction.'
While the auction is set to close on June 18, Budzik emphasized the seller can choose to accept an offer, which are entered privately through Paramount auction house, at any time.
'The auction gives everybody a fair chance at putting in a bid,' Budzik explained. 'And even with eminent domain, I think the question is, what's the value?'
Budzik believes for a home with such an important historical connection, the just compensation required in exchange for the property is 'totally subjective.'
Excitement surrounding the unassuming Dolton home was hard to avoid Friday afternoon. Neighbors and visitors parked on side streets to stand on the sidewalk facing the building, taking videos and photos with their phones as an energetic Budzik led news reporters inside the renovated space.
Donna Sagna and her mother, Peggy, said they are Catholics who lived next door to the house for eight years before learning of Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV. As they projected church music on a speaker in their backyard, the younger Sagna said she had begun holding prayer vigils to honor their local connection to the religious leader.
Sagna and Amarcia Garcia, a former Dolton resident who visited the home with her own mother, both said individually they hoped 212 East 141st Place would be preserved as a museum, bringing tourism and attention to the community.
'It'd be good for Dolton, to bring more positivity, more people and more revenue,' Garcia said.
Budzik said he understands the interest in creating a museum, and 'there's still possibly some interest' in that on the part of the seller, who through Budzik declined to speak with the Daily Southtown.
But, at the end of the day, 'he really wants to see where the auction goes,' Budzik said.
'The next person, who is obviously going to love it, can do whatever they want with it,' Budzik said.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
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