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 Village of Dolton is now working to take control of the house at 212 E. 142nd Pl.

Dolton residents were skeptical at Tuesday's board meeting, questioning whether the financially strained village could afford to purchase the home and maintain the streets surrounding it.

An Illinois village has voted to purchase the childhood home of the first American pope, with a trustee saying the acquisition of the property is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a gift from God.