Not long ago, a modest brick house in the quiet suburb of Dolton, Illinois, was just another home on the market, priced at $199,000.
But then everything changed — because it turns out, that humble little house was once the childhood home of the very first American pope.
Now, with Pope Leo XIV leading the Catholic Church, that same 1,050-square-foot, three-bedroom house could fetch over a million dollars.
From Local Kid to Global Leader
Long before he became Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost was just a kid growing up in that Cape Cod-style home at 212 E. 141st Place.
The house sits just south of Chicago and was part of his family’s life for four decades — from his birth in 1955 all the way until he left for missionary work in Peru in the mid-1990s.
Today, that address isn’t just a spot on the map. It’s become a slice of papal history.
A Simple Home with a Sacred Story
The house itself isn’t flashy — built in 1949, with a tidy lawn and a red front door now adorned with a rosary. But it’s drawing attention for what it represents.
Visitors have been stopping by just to stand on the lawn where the pope once played as a child.
Only a short walk away is the parish where young Robert used to attend Mass: the former St. Mary of the Assumption.
Sadly, the church has since fallen into disrepair, but the memory of it remains part of Pope Leo’s spiritual roots.
A Bidding War for a Piece of Papal History
That little house, once sold for just $66,000 in May 2024, is now up for auction — privately and online. And interest is soaring.
Bidding is set to close on June 18, and real estate watchers say the price could climb into seven figures.
For some buyers, it’s not just a house. It’s a chance to own a piece of history tied to one of the most powerful spiritual figures in the world.
Standing Guard at a Sacred Site
Given all the attention the home is getting, local police have stepped in to help with crowd control and protect the property.
Officer Latonya Ruffin has been stationed at the house and says she’s honored to be part of something so meaningful.
“It’s an honor just to be here,” Ruffin shared with EWTN News reporter Mark Irons.
“People come out, and they love him. They love this man.”