Dolton officials are moving ahead with plans to buy Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home in the village, hoping to snap up the modest brick home that has gained international attention ahead of a

Burt Odelson, Dolton’s attorney behind the deal, said that the owner agreed to sell amid threats of Dolton taking the house via eminent domain.

W hat was once an average home in Chicago's south suburbs has now received national attention for being the childhood home of Pope Leo XIV. The Dolton Village Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to take control of the house at 212 E. 142nd Pl. Village leaders called the purchase a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.