Brother of Pope Leo XIV Affirms Ancestral Records Indicating Creole, African Descent Within Family Line
Headline: Got some juicy scoop on Pope Leo XIV - the First American Pope with Creole Roots
Quick Takeaway: The newly crowned Pope Leo XIV, hailing from the United States, has been confirmed to have Creole roots on his mother's side, tracing his family history back to New Orleans, Louisiana. The Prevost clan is no stranger to the Bayou, with records showing connections to the city's free people of color, dating back to the 1840s.
More Details:
Pope Leo XIV's brother, John Prevost, shared the family records with the New York Times, which were traced back by genealogist, Jari C. Honora, an expert in New Orleans history. Honora revealed that the pope's maternal grandparents were of color and lived in the Seventh Ward, an historically Black neighborhood, before relocating to Chicago, Illinois.
However, it's important to note that the family does not identify as Black and instead prefers to associate with their French and Italian heritage. Rep. Troy Carter, representing New Orleans, was quick to highlight Pope Leo XIV's ancestral ties to Creole and Haitian families, praising the fact as a Black man and proud son of New Orleans.
Pope Leo XIV's ancestors passed into a white racial identity upon moving to Chicago, where he was born to Mildred Martinez, a librarian, and Louis Prevost, a World War II Navy veteran and school superintendent. Martinez's ancestry has been reported as Spanish, but Pope Leo XIV hasn't made any major public statements regarding his Creole heritage.
Historical records, such as marriage licenses and census data, show the Pope's grandparents, Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié, were identified as Black or mulatto. This lineage continues to the Pope's family, weaving together a rich tapestry of race and culture that spans generations.
But the story doesn't end there, as Forbes learned that the family home at 1933 North Prieur St. in the Seventh Ward was demolished during the construction of the Claiborne Avenue overpass. Critics argue this disrupted vibrant Black neighborhoods in New Orleans, raising questions about urban planning and its impact on communities of color.
Pope Leo XIV, 69 years old, embarked on a religious career that took him to Rome and Peru, where he served as bishop. He has been known for his advocacy for migrants and the poor, earning him a centrist reputation somewhat different from his predecessor, Pope Francis. Recent social media posts suggest he might have criticized President Trump's actions towards migrants, although these posts have not been officially confirmed.
Amplifying Voices:
For a deeper dive into Pope Leo XIV's background, be sure to check out these articles:
- Pope Leo XIV: The First American Pope's Early Life and Career
- Pope Leo XIV's Family Lineage and History in New Orleans
- Social Media Posts Suggest Pope Leo XIV Criticized Trump's Migrant Policies
- Pope Leo XIV's ancestral ties to the Seventh Ward of New Orleans, where his maternal grandparents were of color, were highlighted by Rep. Troy Carter, drawing attention to the Pope's Creole and Haitian roots.
- Forbes reported that the family home of Pope Leo XIV in the Seventh Ward, a historically Black neighborhood, was demolished during the construction of the Claiborne Avenue overpass, sparking discussions about urban planning and its impact on communities of color.
- Although Pope Leo XIV hasn't made any major public statements regarding his Creole heritage, Forbes also learned that historical records show his grandparents, Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié, were identified as Black or mulatto, weaving together a rich tapestry of race and culture that spans generations.
