CHICAGO — By now, you’ve heard the information: The brand new pope hails from Chicago.
However … does he actually?
It’s a uniquely delicate topic in Chicago, the place many natives tease folks born within the suburbs — be it far-flung Naperville or on-the-border Evanston — for claiming to be from Chicago. And the subject of the place the pope’s from is already being hotly debated.
So, we’re right here to inform you: Sure, Pope Leo XIV is definitely from town of Chicago. He was born in Bronzeville — and he has many different ties to Chicago.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who can be often known as Pope Leo XIV, was chosen Thursday on the Vatican on the second day of Conclave, a course of by which cardinals select the pope. He succeeds Pope Francis, who died final month.
Right here’s what we find out about Prevost’s Chicago ties:
Born In The Metropolis
Should you outline being “from Chicago” as simply the place one was born, the reply is simple: Prevost is a dyed-in-the-wool Chicagoan.
Prevost was born Sept. 14, 1955, at Mercy Hospital in Bronzeville.
Then once more, many individuals born exterior town limits who’ve lived their complete lives in Chicago would take into account themselves from Chicago.
That’s the place issues get trickier.
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The Suburbs Can Declare Him, Too
Sigh: Prevost might need been born in Chicago, however his first house was in suburban Dolton. His childhood house is at 212 E. 141st Place — roughly a half-mile, or 2 minutes of driving, exterior Chicago.
And many in Dolton have been excited to say Prevost when the information was introduced Thursday, saying they hope his connection can create a brand new narrative for a city that has struggled with crime and a poor popularity lately.
We don’t need to take that away from them — Chicagoans know the way tough it’s to have folks paint an image of your metropolis that doesn’t really feel true.
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OK, However …
Prevost nonetheless has many ties to Chicago.
Prevost attended church at St. Mary of the Assumption on the Far Southeast Aspect, in line with the Solar-Occasions. The now-closed church sat at 310 E. 137th St. — firmly in Chicago’s Riverdale group space.
And Prevost attended the Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park from 1978 to 1982. Throughout that point, he taught in native Catholic faculties, together with serving in its place instructor at St. Rita Excessive Faculty in Ashburn, the Solar-Occasions reported.
Prevost additionally presided over communion ceremonies at St. Gabriel Parish in Canaryville, the place his brother was the principal of the elementary faculty.
What About Culturally?
On the subject of the place Prevost is technically from, issues are divided. And it’s not as simple as asking him, “Hey, the place do you name house?” (He isn’t selecting up Block Membership’s cellphone calls but.)
So, let’s take a look at his cultural ties. The new pontiff is a Sox fan, his brother stated.
That might be a degree for Chicago if we assume suburbanites usually tend to root for different cities’ groups — however we’re guessing many in Dolton declare the Sox, too.
We additionally know Prevost would take a look at house with a beef in his arms, if all of the Photoshopped footage on social media are something to go by.
Possibly we simply want somebody to ask him the Sacred Questions of Chicago:
- How do you want your pizza reduce?
- Have you ever ever had a shot of Malört?
- Do you get your beef dipped?
- How do you’re feeling about ketchup on scorching canine?
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Possibly We Can All Win
There isn’t a one reply to the query, “Who’s from Chicago?” The town claims suburbanites when it needs to, and we reject them, too.
However Dolton is about as near Chicago as you may get with out being in Chicago.
And, hey, he was born right here.
Possibly individuals who need him to be from Chicago can say he’s from right here — and perhaps individuals who suppose he’s from Dolton can say that, too.
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