Chicago honors "Da Pope," a revered local sports figure.
Pope Leo XIV's Former Digs Turned Spiritual Haven
In the suburbs of Dolton, Illinois, a modest brick bungalow on East 141st Place has recently become a pilgrimage site for Catholic enthusiasts. This is the old residence of Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Following the shocking Vatican announcement of Robert Francis Prevost's election, individuals have been trickling in to catch a glimpse of where he spent his formative years.
Bob and Susan Castagna, residents of St. John, Indiana, visited the house to relive a piece of their past. With Bob being a 77-year-old lawyer who has worked for the church and originally hailing from New York, he found a sense of joy looking at the house, “Just like the one I grew up in.”
Susan, a 76-year-old former Oregon resident, saw the house as more than just a dwelling, “It's a magnet. We just want to come close to the person who's so close to Jesus, so close to God.”
Marilyn Awong, a resident of Dolton, described the house as a "magnet" as well, with the current owner graciously allowing her a tour inside. Awong shared that he confided in her about his wife's pregnancy and suggested considering the name Leo for their newborn boy.
“It's really awesome to know this house is in Dolton,” Awong said, expressing her excitement for the village.
Donna Sagna, a neighbor living next to the home, set up a speaker to welcome pilgrims with solemn Italian prayer music. Sagna shared her belief that the power of prayer played a big part in the community's connection to the pope. For a community battling high crime rates and recovering from a local political scandal, Sagna believed that this close relationship with the pope brings hope.
Previously violence-ridden, even in the pope's home, Sagna put up a cross adorned with the faces of Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, and other victims of police brutality and racial injustice, hoping the pope's presence will continue to bring positive change to the neighborhood.
Beside the public thrill, Leo's older brothers, Louis and John Prevost, shared their mixed emotions. “It's just mind-blowing that my brother was elected pope,” said Louis, while John chimed in, “I jokingly told him to watch the movie ‘Conclave’ so he would know how to behave. I just wanted to laugh about something because this is now an awesome responsibility."
While the future pope and his family attended St. Mary of the Assumption Parish on 137th Street during the 60s, the church and its school have since been abandoned, reflecting the challenges Leo faces in reviving a church that has been affected by sexual abuse scandals and losing active worshippers for decades in the US.
Recommended
U.S. news- U.S. newsA 4.1 magnitude earthquake reported in Tennessee- U.S. newsSerial killer Randy Kraft identified as suspect in 45-year-old Oregon cold case murder
Unknown to many, Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV had a connection to the local Portillo's, a renowned street food restaurant, which introduced a new Italian beef sandwich, The Leo, featuring a mix of sweet and hot peppers, to honor the new pope[6].
Et tu, Portillo's?A Chicago icon, Portillo's added flavor to the celebration by introducing 'The Leo,' an Italian beef sandwich featuring the 'holy trinity of peppers'[6].
Enrichment Data:
Overall:
By transforming the childhood home of Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost, into a pilgrimage site, the house now holds historical and religious significance. Here's a brief exploration of the history and relevance of the location:
History of Pope Leo XIV's Childhood Home
- Location: Pope Leo XIV grew up in the suburbs of Dolton, Illinois, south of Chicago, and attended St. Mary of the Assumption Church in nearby Riverdale[1][3].
- St. Mary of the Assumption Church: This church played a significant role in Pope Leo XIV's religious development, serving as the backdrop to his early life. However, the church is now vacant and has fallen into disrepair[1][3].
Significance
- Pope Leo XIV's Early Life: The site holds historical significance as it depicts the modest background that nurtured the future leader of the global Catholic Church. His early ties to the church, such as serving as an altar boy and attending catechism classes, laid the foundation for his spiritual journey[4].
- Community Impact: The news of Pope Leo XIV's election has brought renewed interest to the neighborhood, with locals feeling proud that one of their own took the helm of the Catholic Church[3].
- Potential for a Shrine: While there is no official recognition yet, the increased attention to the house might lead to efforts to commemorate or preserve the site. This could contribute to its local significance and serve as a landmark for Catholic enthusiasts[5].
In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV's childhood home and the surrounding area continue to hold historical and religious importance, with possibilities for it to become an even greater point of interest for Catholics.
In spite of its dilapidated condition, St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Riverdale, where Pope Leo XIV spent his childhood, remains an integral part of his spiritual upbringing.
The homeowners of the bedroom-filled bungalow in Dolton, Illinois, could potentially transform the house into a shrine, honouring Pope Leo XIV's humble origins and attracting pilgrims from around the world.
With the increasing popularity of the house, the question of its potential commemoration as a historical landmark is worth considering – perhaps a shortcut keyboard key could be dedicated to locate its significance in Dolton's rich history.
As the home serves as a vivid testament of Pope Leo XIV's accessible lifestyle, the spirit of the neighborhood seems to resonate with the values he embodies as the leader of the Catholic Church.
