Context:

Robert Francis Prevost, newly elected as Pope Leo XIV, has genealogical ties to Creole people of color in New Orleans, according to genealogist Jari C. Honora. Prevost's maternal grandparents, Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié, were married in New Orleans, contributing to his Creole heritage. The Creole community, historically known for their contributions in various fields, including music and the arts, sees this connection as a significant moment for recognition. Lolita Villavasso Cherrie, a Creole historian, emphasizes the importance of this discovery for the visibility of Creole history, often obscured due to racial passing. Honora's research began with the French-sounding name 'Prevost', initially thought to have Canadian origins, but revealed a strong maternal link to New Orleans instead.

Dive Deeper:

• Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, has been identified as having Creole ancestry through his maternal grandparents, Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié, who were married in New Orleans before moving to Chicago, where their daughter was born.

• Genealogist Jari C. Honora discovered this connection while researching the pope's family history due to the French-sounding name 'Prevost', initially suspecting Canadian origins linked to the Acadians.

• Creole people in Louisiana have a rich history as 'gens de couleur libres,' or free people of color, who were well-educated, French-speaking, and Roman Catholic, contributing significantly to business, arts, and particularly the development of jazz.

• The Creole community, represented by Lolita Villavasso Cherrie, views the pope's Creole connection as an opportunity for increased recognition of their cultural heritage, which has been historically obscured, partly due to racial passing.

• Significant numbers of Louisiana Creoles migrated to Chicago and California in the 20th century, and the internet has facilitated the rediscovery of Creole roots for many who were previously unaware.

• Honora has expressed certainty in the accuracy of his findings, which he considers potentially the most important discovery of his career, shedding light on a previously hidden aspect of Pope Leo XIV's ancestry.

• The connection to New Orleans' Afro-Creole culture is historically significant, as this community has been an integral part of the city's diverse cultural fabric, with ties to notable cultural and artistic developments.