Police in a Chicago suburb are investigating a bomb threat to the home of John Prevost, one of Pope Leo XIV’s older brothers. The threat was called in the evening of April 15, and authorities quickly determined it to be unfounded.
Prevost, a retired educator, lives in New Lenox, about 40 miles southwest of Chicago.
New Lenox police received the call reporting a bomb at the residence at approximately 6:29 p.m., according to ABC7 Chicago. Officers established a secure perimeter around the home and asked neighboring residents to evacuate as a precaution. Specialized units, including bomb-sniffing K9s from the Will County Sheriff's Office, were brought in to search the property.
After a thorough sweep, investigators found no explosive devices or hazardous materials. The threat was deemed unsubstantiated, Fox 32 Chicago reported.
New Lenox Police Chief Micah D. Nuesse told NBC News in an email April 16 that the investigation into the origin of the call remains "active and ongoing." In their initial news release the evening of the threat, police warned that "making false reports of this nature is a serious offense and may result in criminal charges."
The incident comes days after President Donald Trump called Pope Leo "WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy" and went on to name-drop the Pope’s oldest brother, Louis Prevost, who lives in Florida.
"I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA," Trump wrote. "He gets it, and Leo doesn't!"
It is not yet known who made the threat or what the motivations were. Police are actively asking for tips and published a contact number (815-485-2500) for anyone with information.