Robert Francis Prevost, who on Thursday became the first American elected Pope, has Creole of color roots in New Orleans, a genealogist says.
The newly elected pontiff is not known to have publicly commented on his Creole ancestry. But the family did not identify as Black, his brother told The New York Times.
Pope Leo XIV’s grandparents on his mother’s side lived in New Orleans before they migrated to Chicago, where his mother, Mildred Martinez Prevost, was born in 1912, said Jari C. Honora, a family historian at the Historic New Orleans Collection who shared his research and records with CNN.
Leo’s maternal grandparents, Joseph and Louise Martinez, are listed as Black in a Census record from 1900. Joseph is recorded as a cigar maker born in “Hayti.” The Census record shows the couple as living in New Orleans’ 7th Ward, historically a melting pot of cultures in the Crescent City.
“The family were free people of color prior to the Civil War. When they move to Chicago between 1910 and 1912, they ‘passed’ into the White world,” Honora said.
“And that’s OK. I think that’s important to bring out that this is not accusatory,” added Honora, who has worked as a researcher on the popular PBS genealogy series “Finding Your Roots.” “It’s not meant to be a sort of ‘I got you’ moment. This is taking a long view of history and showing you things that people did hold on to, and their faith is one of them.”
John Prevost, the new Pope’s older brother, confirmed the research findings to The New York Times. CNN reached out to John Prevost for comment.
Before the Civil War, free Black Americans held higher social status than those who were enslaved, according to the Data Center, a research non-profit focused on Southeast Louisiana. After the war, all people of color were suddenly categorized together for the first time, which “amounted to a significant social demotion” for those who were previously free.
“They were suddenly denied access to networks and resources (such as education and capital) that had previously been available to them,” an entry on Creole history on the Data Center website says.
Creole ancestry includes people of mixed Spanish or French and Black descent.
Honora also shared a marriage certificate for Mildred’s parents and a photo of a family grave site that shows her parents’ name.
John Prevost and his brothers didn’t discuss the Creole lineage, saying, “It was never an issue,” he told The New York Times.
Still, Leo’s family lineage may enrich his status as the first US-born pope, as his story embodies the country’s history of diversity and the unique American culture it engendered.
The newly uncovered connection to the Roman Catholic leader is “a great connection for our local population,” said Honora, one of the founders of New Orleans’ Creole Genealogical and Historical Association.
The city of New Orleans also acknowledged the finding, saying in a statement it is honored to share this history with the pope.
“The City of New Orleans is a melting pot of different religions and beliefs,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell said. “We are thrilled to welcome Pope Leo XIV, who embodies morality, unity, and inclusivity.”
Although Pope Leo XIV has never lived in New Orleans, Honora hopes the Holy Father’s deep heritage in the community will lead to a papal visit. That hasn’t happened since John Paul II came to the Crescent City in 1987.
“So, we’re long overdue,” he said.
This story has been updated with additional information.
CNN’s Michelle Krupa and Andy Rose contributed to this report.
The-CNN-Wire