News from a plain, in brick, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms The house built in 1959 striking the market outside of Chicago would generally not make one of the newspapers.
Then, the world discovered that the 1,200 square feet house is the place where Pope Leo XIV, until Thursday known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, spent his childhood.
According to Zillow, the house was recently purchased for $ 66,000 in May 2024. It was then overthrown and re -registed for $ 205,000 in January, before being reduced to $ 199,000.
Steve Budzik, a real estate agent working with the owner of the house, said that they were shocked to learn the news in the history of the house.
“It was like” Wow “,” said Budzik about the owner Paul Radzik. “It’s better than winning the lottery. We were both very surprised and honored. It was a lot of emotions.”
Budzik said that the house had aroused “constant interest” before Thursday, with an average viewing per week, but that the fanfare surrounding the first American pope brightened the spotlight.
“Since yesterday, around 10 am, I would say that my client and I have received seven to eight offers,” said Budzik. “We removed the registration, so there was no projection, but if we had left it on the market, it would probably have been reserved all day.”
The owner decided to close the house while he weighs his options.
“It’s like a vintage car from which they made only one,” said Budzik.
Budzik said the owner could keep the house, but envisages several options, including transforming it into a museum honoring Pope Leo XIV or a rental space where admirers could stay.
“Every day, people also contact us with their own ideas, so we will just wait and review everything and find a plan in the coming weeks,” he said.
Budzik told Bi that the owner had also planned to reach out to the brother of Pope Leo XIV, who lives in Illinois, for his thoughts.
The pride of the hometown swelled for Leo XIV. Weiner’s Circle, a famous local hot dog joint, has set up a Latin panel exclaiming: Canes Nostros IPSE Comedit (“He ate our dogs”).
The famous hot dog, Weiners Circle, boasted of its former client, Pope Leo XIV. Images Scott Olson / Getty
Frank Calabresse, 37, a resident of Chicago, was among the first to discover the new place of the house in history. As a Nerd in the history of self -proclaimed Chicago, Calabresse began to dig on Thursday to learn more about the life of Pope Leo XIV.
As a clerk of the law for land tax cases, he also knew exactly where to look. He searched the local tax files and found the act which listed the name of the father of the Pope.
“It is strange to feel as if there is a personal link with the Pope,” said Calabresse à Bi.
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