Latest news with #Budzik
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
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@
Chicago Tribune
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
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.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘A piece of Papal history:' Pope Leo's modest childhood home in Chicago suburb up for sale
Pope Leo XIV's modest childhood Chicago home, marketed as a 'piece of Papal history,' is now available to the highest bidder. In the days before Leo made history as the first American-born pope last week, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in the suburb of Dolton had been listed for less than $250,000. Now the house is being offered up 'via a luxury private auction' after the seller briefly took it off the market last week in a 'truly one-of-a-kind opportunity.' 'This beautifully updated home isn't just a charming 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom the childhood home of Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope in history,' the listing says. 'Pope Leo XIV's journey from this humble neighborhood to the Vatican is a testament to faith, perseverance, and purpose. Now, you have the rare chance to own a tangible piece of his inspiring legacy,' the listing adds. The house has had a makeover since Leo and his family lived there, with a newly renovated interior 'offering a modern touch while maintaining its original character,' the listing says. Realtor Steve Budzik previously told The Independent that he thought the news about Leo and the house was a 'joke.' 'When the first reporter called me with the news…I was, at first, taken aback,' Budzik said last week. 'I didn't see it on any news channel, so I was almost like, 'is this a joke?'' 'I immediately called my client, who said the same thing: 'Are you joking? Come on, stop messing around,'' Budzik recounted. 'I'm like, 'No, this is real.'' Budzik said that the seller was musing over whether the house could be a museum or a historical landmark. The home last sold in May 2024 for $66,000. It's unclear exactly when Pope Leo lived in the home, but his family owned it from the year he was born until 1996, when he was 41 and working as a missionary in Peru. Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1955, Prevost grew up in Chicago's south suburbs in the home where he lived with his parents and two brothers. Leo's brother John Prevost lives in New Lenox, Illinois, just 30 minutes away from the childhood home. Budzik said previously that the seller wanted to speak to Prevost to consult with the family first. 'He just wants to really look at all of his different options, including trying to get in contact with Pope Leo's brother, who is local to where both of us live in New Lenox, and seeing if there's anything that you know the family would like to see done with the property,' Budzik previously said of his client.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Could Pope Leo's childhood home become a landmark? Dolton house removed from market
Pope Leo XIV made history on May 8 by becoming the first American pope in history, setting ablaze Illinois pride as a Chicago native. His childhood home, located in Dolton, attracted nationwide attention as a result, with its listing being removed from the internet just days after returning to the market. Here's what we know. The Dolton home, located at 212 E 141st Place in Chicago's South Side, was sold by the pope's father, Louis Prevost, for $58,000 in 1996. The three-bed, single-family home has been sold several times in the years since, but was again placed on the market on May 5. Days later, on May 8, the listing was removed. The seller's realtor, Steve Budzik, told NBC Chicago he had no idea the house was the pope's until he received a call from a reporter. Budzik received nine offers over the listing price shortly after, and the seller decided to take the home off the market. Budzik said the owners of the home hope to get in touch with Pope Leo to discuss the future of the home, including possibly making it a landmark, restoring it to the way it was when the pope lived in it or re-listing it. "At this time, the seller is just not ready to make a decision if he wants to sell it," Budzik told the outlet. "He wants to kind of let the dust settle." The home was last purchased for $66,000 in May 2024 and was selling for $199,900 before being taken off the market on May 8. Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, was born and studied in Chicago, receiving a degree in Theology at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago. The polyglot served and got naturalized citizenship in Peru and was one of only 10 American cardinal electors deliberating in the Sistine Chapel. He was brought to the Vatican by Francis in 2023 and was twice elected the leader of the Augustinian religious order. Others are reading: A Chicago cardinal is the new head of the Catholic church. About Pope Leo XIV The new pope is 69 years old, making him younger than his two predecessors but older than most pontiffs in recent memory. Pope Leo XIV is the 267th Bishop of Rome, according to Vatican News. Story continues after photo gallery. Though Pope Leo is seen as a centrist, he has expressed several progressive views in recent years, according to NPR. For example, he said at a 2023 conference that he opposes the idea of ordaining female deacons, but supported Pope Francis' efforts to increase women's participation and visibility in the Vatican. He has expressed more conservative views on subjects like abortion, homosexuality, same-sex families and the teaching of gender ideology in schools, but, like his predecessor, has been vocal about the need to battle climate change. Pope Leo has also shown concern for migrants in Peru, as a dual citizen who spent the majority of his career in the country. Voting records obtained by Politico show the pope voted in Republican primary elections in 2012, 2014 and 2016, as well as in the 2024 general election. But his social media pages depict several criticisms of the current administration's actions, including the deportation of immigrants without legal status to El Salvador. Other posts show Pope Leo opposing the death penalty, supporting vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic and retweeting prayers for George Floyd after he was murdered by a police officer in 2020. This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Pope Leo XIV's Dolton home taken off market after May 8 election
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘A better chance at winning the lottery': Chicago-area man discovers he owns Pope Leo's childhood home
This week, Chicago-area realtor Steve Budzik received an 'unbelievable' phone call from a reporter about a property he was selling. That reporter called Budzik to ask about a quaint home in Dolton, Illinois, half an hour from downtown Chicago. A home, Budzik said, that Pope Leo XIV grew up in. 'When the first reporter called me with the news…I was, at first, taken aback,' Budzik told The Independent on Saturday afternoon. 'I didn't see it on any news channel, so I was almost like, 'is this a joke?'' But it wasn't a joke. The 1300-square-foot, Cape-Cod-style brick house on a tree-lined street is indeed the first American Pope's childhood home. 'I immediately called my client, who said the same thing: 'Are you joking? Come on, stop messing around,'' Budzik recounted. 'I'm like, 'No, this is real.'' 'We were both equally super taken aback,' he added. 'You have a better chance at winning the lottery than having this opportunity come to you. We were both shocked and just really blown away.' Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected Thursday night as the 267th pontiff, following four rounds of voting during the conclave. The 69-year-old was born in Chicago and graduated from Villanova University, a private Catholic school in Pennsylvania. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home last sold in May 2024 for $66,000, It's unclear exactly when Pope Leo lived in the home, but his family owned it from the year he was born until 1996, when he was 41 and working as a missionary in Peru. Budzik's client, who is a real estate investor and has never lived in the home, took it off the market Thursday. 'He just wants to really look at all of his different options, including trying to get in contact with Pope Leo's brother, who is local to where both of us live in New Lenox, and seeing if there's anything that you know the family would like to see done with the property,' Budzik said of his client. Pope Leo's brother John Prevost lives in New Lenox, Illinois, just 30 minutes away from his childhood home. He said he couldn't believe it when his brother was announced as the new leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. 'I was in this moment of disbelief that this cannot be possible because it's too far from what we thought would happen," he told NBC News. Now, the home's owner is faced with a difficult choice, but he's weighing a few options. 'Should it be a museum, should it be a historical landmark?' Should it just be resold? What are the options, and what does everybody really want to see done with this house?' Budzik said. 'We're just really excited and embracing it,' Budzik added.
