Police Probe Bomb Threat at Home of Pope’s Brother
AP Photo/Obed Lamy
A bomb threat prompted a large police response Wednesday evening at the home of John Prevost, the brother of Pope Leo XIV, in a Chicago-area suburb, but authorities later confirmed the alert was false.
Around 6:30 p.m., officers in New Lenox were dispatched after reports suggested a possible explosive device might be located at the residence. Law enforcement quickly secured the area, set up a perimeter, and brought in K-9 units trained to detect explosives from the Will County Sheriff’s Office. As a precaution, nearby residents were temporarily asked to leave their homes while officers searched the property.
After a thorough sweep, no explosives or any dangerous materials were discovered. Officials concluded the threat was a hoax. The New Lenox Police Department said the matter is still being looked into to trace where the false report originated, adding that making fake bomb threats is a serious criminal matter that can lead to charges.
Coverage from NBC Chicago noted the incident centered on the home of John Prevost, the older brother of Pope Leo XIV, who became pope in May. In a previous interview last summer, John Prevost described staying in regular contact with his brother Robert Prevost, saying they often played word games like Wordle and Words with Friends during their calls.
The Prevost family includes another brother, Louis Prevost, who lives in Florida. According to reporting from The Hill, Donald Trump recently commented on Louis Prevost in connection with criticism directed at Pope Leo XIV over remarks about war, posting on Truth Social that “Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t!”
Authorities have not linked the threat to any public statements or family comments, and the investigation remains ongoing.
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