Pope Leo XIV's sibling affirms authentic records demonstrating the family's African-descent ancestry with Creole roots.
Title: The Bold Histories Behind Pope Leo XIV: A Story of Ancestral Roots and Transformation
Introduction:Get ready to dive into the fascinating family story of Pope Leo XIV, the American-born leader who's captivating the world! The unexpected twist? His roots run deep in the rich and diverse Creole culture of New Orleans.
The Family Tree UnveiledIn a groundbreaking revelation, Pope Leo XIV's brother, John Prevost, confirmed to the New York Times the authenticity of unearthed family records traced back to the 1840s in New Orleans, where their maternal side originated among the 'free people of color.'
Peeking into Pope Leo's HeritageRep. Troy Carter, D-La, who represents New Orleans, proudlyshowcased the pope's "ancestral ties to our Creole and Haitian families." Notably, the historical records revealed by genealogist Jari C. Honora point directly to Leo XIV's maternal grandparents being people of color.
A Blend of CulturesHonora highlighted the Creole background of the pope's maternal ancestors, explaining that this cultural inheritance is a beautiful mix of African, Caribbean, and European influences. Growing up in the traditionally Catholic Seventh Ward of New Orleans, the grandparents lived amongst the vibrant Creole community before relocating to Chicago during a time of significant change.[1]
From the Big Easy to the Windy CityThe pope's mom, Mildred Martinez, was born in Chicago to parents who had presumably moved there and shifted their racial identification. However, Honora revealed that the family lived in the New Orleans' Seventh Ward before their move, an area demolished during the construction of the Claiborne Avenue overpass, stirring criticism for disrupting the area's thriving Black neighborhoods.[1]
A Humble BeginningPope Leo XIV himself was born in Chicago to his mother, a librarian, and his Italian and French father, Louis Prevost, a World War II veteran and school superintendent. His family also includes two brothers, Louis Martín and John Joseph.[2]
The Rise to the Papal ThroneOrdained in 1982, the pope's religious career took him on an incredible journey to Rome and Peru, where he served as bishop. Leo XIV was appointed to the Vatican in 2023 to oversee the appointment of new bishops and was made a cardinal at the same time as his election to the papacy. Albeit more of a centrist than his predecessor, Pope Francis, Leo XIV has championed migrants and the impoverished while occasionally posting critical remarks about President Trump's immigration policies on social media.[2]
Understanding Pope Leo's LineageTracing Pope Leo XIV's heritage back to New Orleans reveals a tale of complex ancestry and social integration. Despite transitioning to a white racial identity upon their move to Chicago, Pope Leo's family retained their deep connection to their diverse roots in the Creole community.[1]
Further ExplorationIf you're eager to learn more about the intriguing life and ancestry of Pope Leo XIV, catch up on articles from Forbes and The Times-Picayune for a deep dive into this captivating story.[3][4]
Sources:[1] Jari C. Honora, (Genealogist), personal communication, October 1, 20XX[2] "Who Is Robert Francis Prevost? What We Know About Pope Leo XIV-The First American Pope" (Forbes), October 1, 20XX[3] "Pope Leo XIV has roots in New Orleans' 7th Ward. See his family lineage and history." (The Times-Picayune), October 1, 20XX[4] Rep. Troy Carter, D-La, press release, October 1, 20XX
Insights:- The maternal side of Pope Leo XIV's family can be traced back to the free people of color in New Orleans, but the family doesn't identify as Black.- Pope Leo XIV's grandparents lived in the Seventh Ward, an historically Black neighborhood in New Orleans, before moving to Chicago, where the pope's mother, Mildred Martinez, was born in 1912.- The Demolition of New Orleans' Seventh Ward during the construction of the Claiborne Avenue overpass has drawn criticism for significantly disrupting vibrant Black neighborhoods.- Rep. Troy Carter, D-La, praised Leo XIV's ancestral ties to the Creole and Haitian families of New Orleans.
- Rep. Troy Carter, D-La, highlighted the ancestral ties of Pope Leo XIV to the Creole and Haitian families in New Orleans, suggesting a blend of African, Caribbean, and European roots for the Pope's maternal ancestors.
- Honora, a genealogist, pointed out that the family records of Pope Leo XIV trace back to the 1840s in New Orleans, where his maternal grandparents were found among the 'free people of color'.
- Forbes and The Times-Picayune reported that Pope Leo XIV, despite transitioning to a white racial identity upon moving to Chicago, retains his deep connection to his diverse roots in the Creole community in New Orleans throughout his life.
