The Unveiling of Pope Leo XIV's Creole Roots
Brother of Pope Leo XIV verifies documents revealing ancestral Creole and African heritage within the family.
In a thrilling revelation, Pope Leo XIV's brother, John Prevost, confirmed family records discovered by a genealogist, proving the Prevost family can trace their origins back to Creole folks of color in New Orleans.
John Prevost's Statement
John Prevost acknowledged that historical records revealing Pope Leo XIV's maternal side's ancestry could be traced at least to the 1840s among "free people of color" in New Orleans. However, he clarified that his family does not identify as Black.
Genealogical Discoveries
The genealogist, Jari C. Honora from the Historic New Orleans Collection, revealed that Pope Leo XIV's maternal grandparents were undeniably people of color.
Rep. Troy Carter, D-La., took to social media to celebrate Pope Leo XIV's "ancestral ties to our Creole and Haitian families." Pride radiated in his statement, as he expressed being a Black man and proud son of New Orleans.
The Shift in Identity
Pope Leo XIV's grandparents and mother's older siblings were identified as Black or mulatto in records; however, they transitioned into a "white racial identity" upon relocating to Chicago, where the pope's mother-Mildred Martinez-was born in 1912.
A Mix of Cultures
Pope Leo XIV was born to Martinez, a librarian, and Louis Prevost, a World War II veteran of French and Italian descent. Martinez's lineage has often been reported to be Spanish, and Pope Leo XIV has seldom made public statements regarding his Creole heritage.
Disrupted Neighborhoods
The pope's grandparents resided in New Orleans' Seventh Ward, an historically Black neighborhood, before moving to Chicago. Critics argue that the construction of the Claiborne Avenue overpass significantly disrupted vibrant Black neighborhoods in the city.
Roots in New Orleans
According to Honora, a marriage license shows Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié, the pope's grandparents, married in 1887 at Our Lady of Sacred Heart church in New Orleans. Haiti was listed as Joseph Martinez's birthplace in these records. The family lived at 1933 North Prieur St. in the city's Seventh Ward before the area was demolished during the construction of the Claiborne Avenue overpass.
Background
Born in 1955, Pope Leo XIV is the son of Mildred Martinez and Louis Prevost. He also has two brothers, Louis Martín and John Joseph. He graduated with a degree in mathematics from Villanova University and pursued divinity at the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago. Ordained in 1982, his religious career led him to Rome, Peru, where he was naturalized as a citizen, and later to the Vatican. The late Pope Francis appointed him apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, where he became bishop. He was subsequently made a cardinal and assumed his position in the Vatican overseeing the appointment of new bishops in 2023.
Further Reading
- The Genealogy of Pope Leo XIV: A Deep Dive (Forbes)
- The New Orleans Roots of Pope Leo XIV: A Historical Exploration (The Times-Picayune)
- Pope Leo XIV's Tweets Surface, Critical of President Trump (Forbes)
- The genealogical findings confirmed by John Prevost highlight Pope Leo XIV's ancestral ties to Creole folks of color in New Orleans, a fact celebrated by Rep. Troy Carter, D-La.
- Forbes has published an article, "The Genealogy of Pope Leo XIV: A Deep Dive," delving into the pope's ancestry and its impact on general news and politics.
- Amidst the revelations of his Creole heritage, Pope Leo XIV's Twitter account has surfaced, showcasing his critical stance towards President Trump, as reported by Forbes.
