The New Lenox Police opened an investigation Thursday after receiving a bomb threat targeting the residence of John Prevost, the older brother of Pope Leo XIV. Officers conducted a thorough sweep of the property and neighboring streets, ultimately finding no explosive devices or hazardous material. Police warned that filing false reports carries criminal penalties, and Prevost declined to comment.

The alert arrived amid a public clash between the pontiff and President Trump over the ongoing Iran war. Trump’s administration has cast the conflict as a “just war” sanctioned by divine will, while the pope has countered that Jesus does not heed the prayers of those who wage war. Their exchange has amplified scrutiny of the pope’s U.S. family.

Prevost, a retired school principal, spent much of his adult life in the Chicago suburbs, including a stint in New Lenox and earlier years in Dolton, where the family attended St. Mary of the Assumption Parish. Their parents, a school superintendent father and librarian mother, were active in parish life, shaping a community‑oriented upbringing for all three sons.

While no charges have been filed, authorities continue to trace the source of the hoax, emphasizing that intimidation tactics risk inflaming already volatile political rhetoric. The episode illustrates how personal security threats can intersect with high‑profile diplomatic disputes, reinforcing the need for heightened vigilance around public figures and their families.