Dolton Celebrates Pope Leo XIV's 70th Birthday with Community Gathering
The Chicago suburb of Dolton celebrated Pope Leo XIV's 70th birthday with a gathering outside his childhood home. The former Robert Prevost, born in Chicago in 1955, was honored with gospel music and a balloon release. The village purchased the house to promote tourism and highlight its connection to the first American pope. Despite attempts to contact the pope, they did not receive a response.
Pope Leo XIV, elected at age 69, holds dual U.S. and Peruvian citizenship due to his missionary work in Peru. His birthday was also celebrated at the Vatican, where he received well-wishes and balloons in St. Peter's Square. In Dolton, photos of him as a child and as pope were displayed outside the house where his family lived until the mid-1990s.
The event in Dolton brought together a diverse community, reflecting the demographic changes in the area over the years. Attendees prayed for the pope's health and leadership, singing gospel songs and releasing silver star-shaped balloons into the sky. The celebration aimed to spread a positive message about the village and its residents.
Overall, the birthday celebration for Pope Leo XIV in Dolton was a meaningful event that showcased the community's unity and support for their hometown hero.