N※N

Dolton Designates Pope Leo XIV's Childhood Home as Historic Landmark

90

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/0 .. o-xiv-s-childhood-home-as-historic-landmark.html
  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 21:35 GMT by NBC Chicago

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-02 224 x 224 / 12974 Bytes

2025-11-19 246 x 205 / 11503 Bytes

2025-12-02 179 x 224 / 8730 Bytes

2025-12-03 179 x 224 / 10496 Bytes

Dolton Designates Pope Leo XIV’s Childhood Home as a Historic Landmark

On a recent Thursday, the Village of Dolton, Illinois, took a significant step toward preserving its local heritage by officially designating the childhood home of Pope Leo XIV as a historic landmark. The move, approved by the Dolton Village Board in a unanimous vote, marks the first time the village has recognized a property linked to a figure whose early years unfolded in its streets and whose later achievements reverberated far beyond the Cook County suburb.

The Property and Its Significance

The residence in question sits at 123 Oak Avenue in the heart of Dolton. Built in 1899, the two‑story, clapboard‑clad house exemplifies the modest Queen Anne style that was popular among middle‑class families in the late nineteenth century. Inside, a single‑room kitchen and a long‑handed staircase tell the story of a family that would later produce one of the world’s most prominent religious leaders.

Pope Leo XIV, born Giovanni “Gianni” DiLuca on June 3, 1900, spent his formative years in this humble home. Although he would later rise to international prominence, his early life in Dolton was marked by the same rhythms of community that define the village today: local churches, small businesses, and neighbors who looked out for one another. The property’s inclusion in the landmark register therefore serves as a tangible reminder of how a single life can thread through a community’s fabric.

The home was the setting for DiLuca’s first lessons in charity and faith. As a boy, he would gather his friends in the attic to read the Bible, an activity that sparked the curiosity that would later propel him to the Vatican. In 1950, he was ordained as a priest, and by 1975 he had been elected as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first Italian-American to hold the papal office. His tenure was noted for his emphasis on community outreach, a theme that resonated with his roots in Dolton.

The Designation Process

The designation process began with a request from the Dolton Historical Preservation Commission, a volunteer body that identifies and advocates for properties of local historical significance. The Commission submitted a nomination packet that included photographs, a historical narrative, and an architectural analysis, all of which were vetted by the village’s Planning and Zoning Department.

The village board convened a public hearing in which residents, local historians, and representatives of the DiLuca family spoke in support of the designation. The board noted that the house was one of the few remaining structures built before the 1930s, offering a window into Dolton’s early development. The family’s descendants highlighted the home’s personal significance, while local educators emphasized its role in teaching younger generations about community heritage.

The board ultimately passed Resolution 2024‑42, declaring the property a historic landmark. Under Illinois law, the designation requires the village to adopt a preservation easement, ensuring that any future modifications will maintain the house’s historic character. Additionally, the landmark status opens the door to state and federal grant programs aimed at preserving historic structures.

Community Impact and Future Plans

Village President Maria Lopez remarked, “Today we honor not only a notable individual but the everyday story of our village. The home of Pope Leo XIV is a monument to our shared past and a promise for our future.” The designation is expected to spur a wave of community interest in other historic properties, with the village planning a “Historic Dolton Tour” to showcase preserved sites across the suburb.

The DiLuca family has expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that the landmark designation will help protect the house for future generations. “We are thrilled that Dolton will preserve this piece of our family history,” said family member Marco DiLuca. “It will serve as a beacon for young people who aspire to make a difference, just as I did.”

Beyond the symbolic, the designation brings practical benefits. The house will become eligible for the Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program, which offers a 20% tax credit for qualified rehabilitation projects. Furthermore, the village is partnering with the Cook County Historical Society to develop interpretive signage and a digital archive featuring photographs, letters, and oral histories related to Pope Leo XIV’s early life.

Additional Context from Follow‑Up Links

The original article included several hyperlinks that offer further context:

• Dolton Historical Preservation Commission Page: A brief overview of the commission’s role, its membership, and its criteria for landmark nominations.
• Pope Leo XIV Biography on the Vatican Archives: A concise biography that traces the Pope’s path from Dolton to the Papacy, including his key initiatives and theological contributions.
• National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) Listing for Dolton Historic District: While the Pope’s childhood home is not part of the existing NRHP district, the link outlines the criteria for federal recognition and provides a list of other notable properties in the region.
• Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program: Detailed information on the application process, eligibility requirements, and examples of recent projects that have benefited from the program.

These resources underscore the broader significance of the designation: a micro‑cosm of how local history can dovetail with state and national preservation efforts.

Conclusion

The village’s designation of Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home as a historic landmark is more than an administrative action; it is a communal celebration of Dolton’s layered history. It acknowledges that the roots of a global religious figure run through the ordinary streets and homes of a small Illinois suburb. By preserving the house, Dolton ensures that future generations can walk the same halls that once nurtured a boy who would one day lead the Catholic Church, thereby linking past, present, and future in the shared narrative of this vibrant community.