NEW LENOX – The Village of New Lenox is celebrating its unique connection to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the first American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, by dedicating a street in his honor.

During a meeting packed with family, parishioners, and community members, Mayor Tim Baldermann read a formal proclamation Monday night detailing the Pope’s deep roots in the village. Following the proclamation, the board announced that honorary street signs for “Pope Leo XIV” will be installed along the route from Cedar Road to Pine Street, leading to St. Jude Parish, a church the pontiff has visited multiple times.

“We are incredibly proud of the connection that he has here at home,” Baldermann said.

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, has been officially listed with the Will County Clerk’s Office as having his U.S. hometown in New Lenox since 2012. His brother, John Prevost, a retired educator, is a New Lenox resident. The mayor noted that before his ascension, then-Cardinal Prevost, an Augustinian, would often stay at Providence Catholic High School while visiting his brother.

John Prevost, who was present to accept a copy of the proclamation, shared a message from his brother. “I told him this afternoon I was coming here for this, so he knows, and he says thank you for the honor,” Prevost said.

The proclamation highlighted the Pope’s journey from growing up in Dolton to his decades of service as a missionary in Peru, and his rise through the Vatican ranks before being elected Pope in May 2025. Baldermann emphasized the significance of the Pope’s commitment.

“This isn’t really congratulations, because the pope didn’t win anything,” Baldermann said. “What he has committed to is lifelong pastoral care, and he is dedicating his life now as the leader of his faith. For that, something that we know he did not ask for, something we know he did not seek, but something he felt was a true calling in his faith.”

Father Ray from St. Jude Parish joined John Prevost in accepting the honor. “I think the best way we can honor the pope is what he’s doing now is listening and try to build community using the Augustinian core values of truth, unity and love,” Father Ray said.

Baldermann concluded by praising the Pope as someone who “spreads kindness and compassion throughout the world to all people,” regardless of religious belief. The honorary street signs were scheduled to be installed the morning after the meeting.