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New York Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Chicago Suburb Plans to Acquire Pope Leo XIV's Childhood Home
The Chicago suburb where the first American pope spent some of his boyhood is seeking to acquire his childhood home. If it can't work out a way to buy it, it will take it. 'The Village of Dolton intends to purchase this home either through direct purchase or through their eminent domain powers,' wrote Burton S. Odelson, an attorney for the village of Dolton, Ill., in a letter sent to Paramount Realty USA, a real estate auction firm that had already begun collecting bids for the property. '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.' It's the latest development for the modest three-bedroom house after it was put up for auction last week with Paramount. Acquiring the house via eminent domain would allow the village of Dolton to take the private property for public purposes, though the government would have to pay 'fair compensation' to the owner, according to the letter. The seller, Pawel Radzik, 'is excited to have the potential opportunity to work with the church, the archdiocese and the village of Dolton to purchase the property,' said Steve Budzik, the real estate broker representing the property. Mr. Radzik, 36, bought the home in 2024 for $66,000 with a plan to renovate and flip it. 'Ultimately, what happens is up to the owner of the property,' said Misha Haghani, the CEO and founder of Paramount. 'We're just advisers here.' The brick home, which had been listed for 199,900, suddenly became a historic site when Pope Leo XIV was introduced to the world earlier this month. The pontiff, who grew up as Robert Francis Prevost, spent at least some of his childhood in the house on 141st Place, about 30 minutes south of downtown Chicago. His father, Louis Prevost, sold the house in 1996 after almost 50 years, according to county records. After receiving only a handful of offers in recent months, Mr. Budzik and Mr. Radzik were inundated with a sudden rush almost immediately following the conclusion of the conclave. Mr. Budzik and Mr. Radzik quickly pulled the house off the market as they worked out their next steps. Unable to settle on a price, they turned to Paramount, which started the auction and began collecting bids. The auction is set to conclude June 18. The village's letter outlining its intent to acquire the home was sent to the auction house on Tuesday. Mr. Odelson, the village's attorney, said in an interview that he has been in touch with the seller's team and that negotiations are 'open now.' He said he hopes to avoid eminent domain, which would entail an expensive and lengthy legal process. Using eminent domain, Mr. Odelson said, 'keeps the home in the news and not the light that the village or the church want. We don't want it to be a controversy; we want it be a sacred site.'
Chicago Tribune
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Afternoon Briefing: Rev. Michael Pfleger reflects on 50 years as a priest
Good afternoon, Chicago. The Chicago Bears are shifting their focus to a new stadium in Arlington Heights, a project that would depend on state legislation allowing for negotiated financing of large-scale development projects. 'Over the last few months, we have made significant progress with the leaders in Arlington Heights, and look forward to continuing to work with state and local leaders on making a transformative economic development project for the region a reality,' the team said in a statement to the Tribune on Friday. Here's what to know about the Bears' new era since the team purchased the Arlington Heights site in 2023. And here's what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History The Chicago-born priest has been a fixture at the predominantly Black St. Sabina Church — and in the Auburn Gresham community — since being assigned to the parish more than 40 years ago. Read more here. More top news stories: Homer Glen-based home rehabber Pawel Radzik paid $66,000 last year for the modest, three-bedroom ranch-style brick house on 141st Place. Read more here. More top business stories: For many prospects, combine week can be a reminder of the work left to do before they can become truly competitive NBA players. Kasparas Jakučionis was no exception. Read more here. More top sports stories: Turns out one thing remains outside of Beyoncé's superhuman control: The weather. Threats of severe storms that failed to fully materialize in the South Loop, apart from wind and rain, delayed the start of the first of the megastar's three-night residency Thursday at Soldier Field. Read more here. More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories: In a massive setback, House Republicans failed to push their big package of tax breaks and spending cuts through the Budget Committee, as a handful of conservatives joined all Democrats in a stunning vote against it. Read more here. More top stories from around the world:
News.com.au
13-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Make a larger profit': Pope Leo's childhood home is for sale
This house of God is a total real-estate blessing! 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.'
Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- Times
My former drug den fixer-upper turned out to be Pope Leo's old home
A year ago this month, a Polish builder bought a fixer-upper in a suburb south of Chicago. The neighbourhood is not particularly ritzy, with its vacant houses and shops that have mostly gone out of business — other than a Chinese takeaway and the Speedy Drive Thru Food Mart, which looks as if it was built to withstand an armed assault and possibly already has done. But Pawel Radzik, who makes his living doing up houses, felt the little place had potential, and last week his renovation was very nearly complete. He was accompanying his heavily pregnant wife to a doctor's appointment when his phone rang. On the line was his estate agent, who had some big news: Radzik was in possession of the new
