Police in New Lenox, Illinois, responded to a bomb threat at the home of John Prevost, brother of Pope Leo XIV, on Wednesday evening. The threat, received via email by local police and the Will County Sheriff's Office around 6:29 p.m., prompted evacuations of nearby homes and a thorough search of the property on Sojourn Road.

Officers established a perimeter, deployed the sheriff's bomb squad and explosive-detection K9 units, and examined the residence and surrounding area. No explosive devices or hazardous materials were found, and the threat was deemed unsubstantiated. Nearby residents returned home after the scene was cleared, with no injuries reported.

New Lenox Police Chief Micah D. Nuesse described the matter as "an active and ongoing investigation," with authorities working to identify the origin of the false report. "Making false reports of this nature is a serious offense and may result in criminal charges," the department stated in a news release. The FBI's Chicago office is aware of the incident. Tips can be submitted to New Lenox police at 815-485-2500 or anonymously online.

John Prevost, an older brother of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost in the Chicago suburb of Dolton, is a retired school principal living in New Lenox. The pontiff has another brother, Louis Prevost, who resides in Florida.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions between the Vatican and the Trump administration over the U.S.-led war in Iran. Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, has criticized U.S. policy, calling President Donald Trump's threats against Iran "truly unacceptable" and urging leaders to pursue peace. During an ongoing trip through North Africa, the pope remarked on Tuesday in Algeria that "God’s heart is torn apart by wars, violence, injustice, and lies."

Trump responded sharply on Sunday, labeling the pope "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy," while praising Louis Prevost as "all MAGA" and someone who "gets it." The president suggested Leo's election was a diplomatic move to counter him. Leo replied that he has "no fear of the Trump administration" and would continue proclaiming the Gospel's call for peace.

New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann called the threat targeted but emphasized the community's safety, noting increased patrols on Prevost's street. "We’ve got a safe community, and I want to make sure that all of our residents can enjoy the quality of life that we have here," he said. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker commented that "the level of rhetoric needs to come down," referencing Trump's attacks on the pope.

No motive has been confirmed, and it remains unclear if the hoax connects to the public feud. Police have not released further details on the email's content.