• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Shop
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
        • Subscribe
  • Advertising
  • CR for Kids
  • Radio/Podcasts
        • Catholic Review Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
        • In God’s Image
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
A Chicago police officer attends a news conference in Chicago, Illinois, September 21, 2016. (OSV News photo/Jim Young, Reuters)

Investigation ‘ongoing’ in false bomb threat at home of Pope Leo’s brother

April 17, 2026
By Simone Orendain
OSV News
Filed Under: Feature, News, World News

CHICAGO (OSV News) — The police chief of a southwest suburb of Chicago, where one of Pope Leo XIV’s brothers lives, confirmed to OSV News that his department is conducting “an ongoing and active investigation” of an unsubstantiated bomb threat at John Prevost’s house.

New Lenox Police Chief Micah Nuesse said in an email to OSV News that, as of mid-afternoon April 16, “the NLPD will conduct extra patrols and there will be an increased police presence in the area.”

Nuesse sent a media statement that said officers responded to a call in the early evening April 15 about a bomb threat in Prevost’s neighborhood. 

“A thorough search of the residence and surrounding property was conducted,” the department said in the statement. “After careful examination, investigators determined that the threat was unsubstantiated and that no explosive devices or hazardous materials were present.”

“There were no injuries reported, and residents were allowed to safely return to their homes shortly after the scene was cleared,” it added.

An Augustinian priest and friend of Prevost told OSV News his friend “is fine” following the incident. 

Pope Leo is from Chicago’s south suburbs and is a member of the Order of St. Augustine, which has a Midwest province based in Chicago. Then-Cardinal Robert F. Prevost last visited New Lenox in August 2024, when he was a Rome-based prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops. 

The pope has made strong calls for peace in the face of the U.S. and Israel’s conflict with Iran, and he led a prayer vigil for peace April 11. During his travels in Africa, he has reiterated the message of peace, particularly at an April 16 meeting for peace in Bamenda, Cameroon — a region marred by years of separatist violence.

“Too many people are suffering in the world today. Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say there’s a better way,” he said April 13 aboard the papal plane to Algeria, the first stop in his four-country papal trip in Africa. 

Read More World News

Makary out as FDA commissioner after tumultuous tenure, pro-life criticism

As Planned Parenthood defunding nears expiration, USCCB pro-life chair backs bill to block funds

Israeli soldiers punished after desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon

First-ever pilgrimage celebrates Pope Leo with Mass, visits to papal boyhood landmarks

Can intelligent extraterrestrial life exist? Here’s what Catholic thinkers have to say

Vatican continues dialogue with German bishops regarding blessing for same-sex couples, cardinal says

Copyright © 2026 OSV News

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Simone Orendain

Click here to view all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • ‘Present’: Archbishop Lori ordains 14 permanent deacons at solemn, yet joy-filled Mass
  • Meet the permanent deacons to be ordained May 9 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen
  • Archdiocesan staff celebrates Archbishop Lori’s 75th birthday
  • Archbishop Lori will ordain 12 transitional deacons May 16
  • UFOs, extraterrestrial life explored at Vatican parish event

| Latest Local News |

Archbishop Lori will ordain 12 transitional deacons May 16

Radio Interview: Why a world-class pianist gave up a promising career to become a priest

‘Present’: Archbishop Lori ordains 14 permanent deacons at solemn, yet joy-filled Mass

Archdiocesan staff celebrates Archbishop Lori’s 75th birthday

Knott Scholars recognized

| Latest World News |

Makary out as FDA commissioner after tumultuous tenure, pro-life criticism

As Planned Parenthood defunding nears expiration, USCCB pro-life chair backs bill to block funds

Israeli soldiers punished after desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon

First-ever pilgrimage celebrates Pope Leo with Mass, visits to papal boyhood landmarks

Can intelligent extraterrestrial life exist? Here’s what Catholic thinkers have to say

| Catholic Review Radio |

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Makary out as FDA commissioner after tumultuous tenure, pro-life criticism
  • As Planned Parenthood defunding nears expiration, USCCB pro-life chair backs bill to block funds
  • Israeli soldiers punished after desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon
  • First-ever pilgrimage celebrates Pope Leo with Mass, visits to papal boyhood landmarks
  • Can intelligent extraterrestrial life exist? Here’s what Catholic thinkers have to say
  • Archbishop Lori will ordain 12 transitional deacons May 16
  • ‘Presentes’: el arzobispo Lori ordena a 14 diáconos permanentes en una misa solemne y llena de alegría
  • Vatican continues dialogue with German bishops regarding blessing for same-sex couples, cardinal says
  • Trump says he plans to raise Jimmy Lai imprisonment during China visit

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2026 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED