Dolton Mayor Jason House is negotiating to buy Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home, but Village Board has yet to discuss such action.

The plan – intersecting the use taxpayer funds and a religious organization – has raised concerns, and not just limited to the First Amendment separation of Church and State.

The village attorney sent a letter to the New York-based auction house managing the sale of the home, warning that any buyer should be prepared for the village to seize the property.