Pope Leo XIV’s previously unknown Creole roots are a most American story

(RNS) — Robert Francis Prevost, also known as Pope Leo XIV, was a missionary from Chicago who worked in Peru. Despite his strong connections to Peru, where he led a seminary and later the Diocese of Chiclayo, his ancestry reveals his American roots. Historical records show that Leo’s maternal ancestors were Creoles of color. The 1900 Federal Census lists Leo’s maternal grandfather, Joseph Martinez, as being born in “Hayti,” residing in New Orleans’ Ward 7, and being Black. His grandmother, Louise Martinez (nee Baquié), and two of his aunts were also recorded as Black. Leo’s family’s racial identity seemed to shift over time, with earlier records describing them as “mulatto” and later records listing them as white after moving to Chicago in 1912.

Nate Tinner-Williams, co-founder of Black Catholic Messenger, highlighted the complexity of racial identity in the United States and how it could vary based on skin color. The discovery of Leo’s Creole heritage was made by New Orleans genealogist Jari C. Honora, who found that Leo’s maternal ancestors were Creoles of color living in New Orleans. Leo’s brother confirmed the family history to The New York Times, though they did not identify as Black publicly.

Tinner-Williams expressed his hope for a Black pope and sees Leo’s Creole background as a significant development. Christopher Gurley, a Ph.D. student studying African American history and Catholicism, believes Leo’s heritage will prompt discussions about diversity in the Catholic Church. The focus on Leo’s ancestors may raise awareness of New Orleans’ Catholic heritage and the struggles of Black Catholics seeking sainthood.

Despite Leo’s family moving to Chicago, their roots in New Orleans are significant. Honora believes that shedding light on Leo’s ancestors will highlight New Orleans’ Catholic legacy and encourage support for Black Catholic sainthood. Gurley and Tinner-Williams also emphasized the importance of representation for Black Catholics within the church, particularly at leadership levels.

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