DOLTON, Ill. (WLS) — From brawls to blessings, it has been quite a turn of events for the village of Dolton.
Tourists are flocking to Pope Leo XIV’s boyhood home in the south suburb.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
“We are very happy we came, and these people don’t know how lucky they are,” said Dolton visitor Margaret Carlson.
Lucky is not exactly a term that would define Dolton is recent months.
Residents have faced numerous controversies related to the tenure of former Mayor Tiffany Henyard, who was accused of corruption and political retaliation. Tensions escalated dramatically during a heated meeting in Thornton Township, where Henyard held the position of supervisor.
Months later, Dolton has a new mayor and now can claim a pope.
“We are trying to move past the negative, so it’s like a breath of fresh air,” said Dolton Village Trustee Brittany Norwood.
Norwood said she and Dolton Mayor Jason House are trying out figure the best way to use the pope’s Dolton connection to help change the town’s image.
“We have plans in place and are currently in the early stages. Our aim is to pay tribute to the pope and his Catholic faith in the most respectful manner,” Norwood mentioned.
Locals residing on the same block as the pope’s childhood home are hopeful that his connection to the area will bring much-needed revitalization to a suburb plagued by many vacant houses and storefronts.
READ MORE | Dolton neighbor told young Cardinal Robert Prevost he would be pope someday, New Lenox brother says
“I really think this right here is definitely a change in our atmosphere, and definitely is bringing hope to our community, healing to our community,” said Dolton resident Donna Sagna Davis.
Davis lives next-door to the pope’s former home, and she enjoys meeting all the new visitors to her town.
Three generations of Mayika Flanagan’s family have lived on the block. She hopes the attention will force residents and the village to clean it up.
“It’s going to be a positive outcome. I feel like there is going to be a big change by the end of this year,” Flanagan said.
House was unavailable for an interview on Monday. Norwood and other ally trustees would not give any hints on what he has planned, but they say they will announce soon their plans to honor the pope.
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
