In the year since Cardinal Robert Prevost was named Pope Leo XIV, what used to be a typical block in Dolton has become a landmark drawing tourists from all over the world to his childhood home.
“It’s definitely been a blessing,” said Donna Sagna Davis, an eight-year Dolton resident who lives next door . “It’s definitely been really great working with the tourists, it’s been a breath of fresh air.”
Residents who spoke to the Sun-Times Thursday say the changes in the neighborhood since Pope Leo’s election have been mostly for the better.
Sagna Davis, 51, did her bit to help the tourists. Near her window, she set up a porta-potty, a container to leave prayer requests and a speaker playing sermons, all to encourage tourists to pray outside the home. The Village of Dolton purchased the home a couple of months after Pope Leo’s inauguration.
“I can see the joy in everybody’s eyes,” Sagna Davis said as a group of four traveling from Vietnam posed for pictures in front of the Pope’s old home. “They were really happy about this.”
Marie Nowling, another neighbor who lives a few houses down, happily clung to two-decades-old group pictures that included herself and the then-Rev. Robert Prevost during their time feeding the hungry at Holy Rosary Church.
The added attention since Pope Leo’s election attracted visitors closer to her age.
“A bunch of older people come here,” said Nowling, 87.
Less than a mile north, construction workers with the Metropolitan Corporation used a tarp to cover holes and painted over graffiti at St. Mary’s of the Assumption as former parishioners and community members look to restore the now-closed Riverdale church Pope Leo attended as a boy.
Scott Kuzminski, a former parishioner at the church with decades of family history, posted in a Facebook group about wanting to repair the church. Dan Dorman stepped up and offered to help with a free “band-aid fix.”
“I think three things influenced my life. My parents, God and Dolton,” said Dorman, owner of the Metropolitan Corporation. “I just felt like giving back.”
Kuzminski wants to fully restore the church this year and gain landmark status to protect the building from condemnation and demolition. After its full restoration, he hopes the Archdiocese will reconsecrate the church so it can be used as a basilica — a Catholic church of historical significance granted special privileges by the pope.
Beyond hosting Mass and special events, Kuzminski wants the church to be a pillar for the community and be “respected just like Saint Sabina,” referring to a South Side church led by Rev. Michael Pfleger, an activist priest.
“We cannot do this without the community’s help and outreach,” Kuzminski said. “They know this is a world thing,” he added, but “they can take part in it too.”
Kuzminski hopes people continue to contribute to the restoration “to celebrate this very modest church that gave the world the first American pope.”
“I think that it’s just gonna grow and grow. … God willing, it will grow out to be a more peaceful area,” Kuzminski said.
Sally Rock, who lived in Dolton for over 30 years, was back there Thursday, taking pictures and walking through the barren church recounting countless memories of services and religious milestones.
“I’m always drawn to come here because it just stirs up so many heartfelt memories,” said Rock, 66. “My older brother was married here. There’s a good chance that Pope Leo could have been an alter boy at my first communion.”
Rock, like many Dolton natives, has spent the last year “very proud” of the job the pontiff has done since he was elected.
“I think he’s gonna do a lot of good for the world, which is what we need right now.”
The changes in Dolton haven’t all been good. Sagna Davis has received tickets and citations for her sermon-playing speakers and porta-potty. She believes those actions by the village infringe on her religious freedom.
It’s definitely a growth for me and sometimes I’m faced with adversity,” Sagna Davis said. “I’m trying to make sure everybody, when they come here, that they can use the bathroom or if they need some water or something, that it’s available.”
Kuzminski hopes one day Pope Leo will return to the church and home where he grew up.
“I know there’s a whole lot of work to be done,” Kuzminski said of the possibility. “Our hope is that we can bring him back.”