Context:

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, has been elected as the first U.S.-born pontiff, with his ancestry traced to Creole people of color from New Orleans. His maternal grandparents, Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié, were described in historical records as Black or mulatto and originally lived in New Orleans' Seventh Ward before relocating to Chicago. This discovery, confirmed by genealogist Jari C. Honora, highlights the pope's connection to the often overlooked Black Catholic experience in America. Although the family did not identify as Black, the revelation has sparked interest in the diverse cultural and racial threads that constitute the American story. The pope's heritage emphasizes the long history of Black Catholics in the U.S., which includes free and enslaved individuals, contributing to a broader understanding of American diversity and identity.

Dive Deeper:

• The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, hails from Chicago but has Creole ancestry linked to New Orleans, making him the first American-born pope with such a rich cultural heritage.

• His maternal grandparents, Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié, were Afro-Caribbean individuals who lived in New Orleans' historically Catholic Seventh Ward before moving to Chicago, where they had a daughter, Mildred Martinez, the pope's mother.

• Genealogist Jari C. Honora uncovered the pope's Creole roots, which were confirmed by his brother John Prevost, highlighting the interconnectedness of American identities and the significant presence of Black Catholics in the U.S.

• Despite the family's lack of identification as Black, their Creole heritage contributes to the complex narrative of racial and cultural diversity in the United States, especially with the history of Louisiana Creoles, known as 'gens de couleur libres' or free people of color.

• The revelation of the pope's ancestry has inspired discussions on the hidden histories of Creole people, many of whom have historically 'passed' as white, and emphasizes the importance of exploring genealogical roots.

• This discovery has raised awareness of the significant migration of Louisiana Creoles to the Chicago area in the 20th century, further illustrating the varied paths of American cultural evolution.

• The pope's background underscores the intricate and multifaceted nature of American society, where diverse racial and cultural histories converge, reflecting the shared but complex tapestry of American life.