New pope celebrated for his "Creole of color roots"

Pope Leo XIV is not only the first American to serve as Bishop of Rome, the City of New Orleans notes he also has "Creole of color roots" in NOLA.The big picture: The 69-year-old newly elected pontiff's brother John Prevost told the New York Times from his Chicago home late Thursday this "discovery is just an additional reminder of how interwoven we are as Americans."The 71-year-old added he hopes this news about the Chicago-born pope formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost "will highlight the long history of Black Catholics, both free and enslaved, in this country, which includes the Holy Father's family."Zoom in: New Orleans historian and genealogist Jari Honora first raised the matter of the roots of the new pontiff, who succeeds Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church from 2013 until his death on Easter Monday at age 88.Honora shared records on Facebook showing that Leo's mother is of Creole descent."As a city known for its rich history and diverse culture, we are honored to have a new leader of the Catholic Church whose maternal grandparents Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié resided in the 7th Ward of New Orleans," per a Thursday evening emailed statement from the City of New Orleans.The couple "were married at Our Lady of Sacred Heart Church on Annette Street in 1887 before moving to Chicago between 1910 and 1912," according to the statement, which cited a source at The Historic New Orleans Collection.Our thought bubble, via Axios' Russell Contreras: U.S. Catholic congregations that shaped Leo were among the most diverse in the nation amid persistent segregation in Protestant churches.Catholics in the early 20th Century married across ethnic and racial lines even when it was forbidden elsewhere — especially in Louisiana, California and New Mexico.Those dynamics appeared to have formed Leo's multiracial, multiethnic family as they moved to the Midwest.What they're saying: Mayor LaToya Cantrell noted in a statement included in the email that the city is "a melting pot" of different religions and beliefs. "We are thrilled to welcome Pope Leo XIV, who embodies morality, unity, and inclusivity," she added of the pontiff, who is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Peru, where he served as a bishop for several years."We look forward to building a strong relationship with our new pope and working together towards creating a more compassionate and just society."More from Axios: Here's how Pope Leo XIV has already made historyU.S. leaders congratulate first American Pope Leo XIVMeet Pope Leo XIV, the first American to serve as Bishop of Rome

Comments

World news

washington times

Ukraine arrests two Hungarians accused of spying

about 1 hour ago

Express

Donald Trump slammed by Vladimir Putin in barbed-wire jibe over who really won WW2

about 1 hour ago

Independent

Fears grow FBI head Kash Patel isn’t taking his job seriously as he skips morning briefings and frequently attends UFC fights

about 1 hour ago

What is the ‘special tribunal’ for Ukraine – and could it bring Putin to justice?

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Three big clues about new Pope Leo XIV’s papacy in opening speech

Pope Leo XIV’s first speech in full as new pontiff declares ‘evil will not prevail’

New Pope Leo XIV’s resurfaced tweets reveal what he really thinks about Trump

Pope Leo XIV marks new beginning for Catholic Church

The biology behind the new mom-baby connection

The best new crime and thriller books to read in May 2025

Trump welcomes new American-born pope and says he can’t wait to meet him - despite Leo XIV previous criticism

Pope Leo XIV: What the new pope’s name choice says about his future plans

The reason why white smoke is used to announce a new Pope

You can’t read the new Diana biography without thinking of Meghan

New pope's social media posts suggest disagreement with the Trump administration

Winnipeg Sea Bears open training camp with fresh new roster

Peru rejoices over the new pope and claims him as their own.

Australian Catholics welcome ‘approachable’ new pope in hope he will pursue peace

What's in a name? With Leo, new pope shows support for workers and labor unions

From a new-look frontbench to wedding bells: here’s what’s on Anthony Albanese’s second term to-do list

The truth about Trump’s new trade deal with the UK

Brit hiker, 25, missing in New Zealand after planning to climb popular mountain days ago

Who is the new Pope Leo XIV and what are his views?

New Pope Has Ties To U.S. and Peru

World news

Ukraine arrests two Hungarians accused of spying

Donald Trump slammed by Vladimir Putin in barbed-wire jibe over who really won WW2

Fears grow FBI head Kash Patel isn’t taking his job seriously as he skips morning briefings and frequently attends UFC fights

What is the ‘special tribunal’ for Ukraine – and could it bring Putin to justice?

11,000 troops, 200 tanks, and 28 foreign leaders: Putin stages Moscow parade in ‘belligerent’ show of force

ESPN panelist Kate Fagan says ‘trans kids deserve to play sports’ in final appearance before show’s cancelation

Fastest sinking city in the US is revealed in new study and it’s not in Florida

Tearful George Santos pleads for a pardon from Trump

Democrats seethe over Biden’s media blitz: ‘Elections are about the future’

Trump gets the Fox News band back together for his second administration

Pope Leo XIV 'accused of mishandling sexual abuse allegations against priests in churches'

Swiss president hopes 'Holy Spirit' might guide US-China weekend talks in Geneva over tariffs

A swimming coach in Nigeria provides inspiration and life lessons to disabled people

Congo national park associated with Prince Harry acknowledges human rights abuses

Underwater volcano off the coast of US 'ready to erupt' as scientists sound alarm

Bar manager murdered customer – then did something unspeakable with the body

Kim Jong Un orders workers to increase ammunition production for Russia's war on Ukraine

EU civil war erupts as Ukraine rumbles Hungarian 'spy ring'

The lesser-known Caribbean paradise that's far more affordable with less tourists

India-Pakistan war fears rise as New Delhi placed on high alert

Greek’s top five best natural pools to enjoy this summer with unique beaty and seclusion

Texas jail guard accused of helping and laughing as four inmates killed another prisoner over $40 debt

Trump team calls on Supreme Court to end humanitarian protections for 530,000 immigrants

‘Labels are there for a reason’: Families sues after cookie mixup kills a 78-year-old grandmother

Trump hires UN migration team to help with ‘self deportation’ of undocumented people in the US

Preschool security shoots man who threatened to attack him right in front of the Jewish facility

Rights groups sue to free Venezuelans deported from the US and held in El Salvador

Putin’s army of Telegram war bloggers and TV propagandists unmasked

Spain weather warning issued with holidaymakers told they could see snow

Can Democrats win over Trump voters with this one issue?

Just how bad can the India-Pakistan crisis get?

Russia's Victory Day parade felt more like a celebration of war than peace

Why Netanyahu Might Be on a Collision Course With Trump

DOGE Has Its Sights on the Defense Department

How Trump Could Reset With Russia

Pope Leo 'deliberately' downplayed being American to make sure he won Papacy

Pope Leo XIV's 'difficult challenge' as Catholic Church's multimillion-pound debt looms

Brit tourist mowed down by car and killed in India holiday hotspot

Brit 'talisman' tragically killed in Ukraine explosion after saving 'countless lives'

Here’s how China agreed to come to the table on Trump’s tariffs

Florida man gored by bison at Yellowstone National Park

Danish PM warns U.S. over reported intel gathering on Greenland

Kim Jong Un supervised missile tests simulating nuclear strikes: North Korea

Recall issued over ineffective radon detectors sold online: Health Canada

Canadians on Leafs, Oilers, Jets talk Cup dreams

Russia holds Victory Day parade marking the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany

Indian and Pakistan troops swap intense artillery fire

Trump floats 80% tariff on China

'I've flown to 49 countries – this is the best plane seat for long-haul flights'

US Space Force ramps up effort to build next-gen US-UK missile warning system

Russia's horror WW3 threat to Britain as these UK cities are on Putin's nuke 'hitlist'

Iranian terror attack left me in a coma – but what happened next was astonishing

Danish leader says 'you cannot spy against an ally' after reports of US gathering intel on Greenland

Texas Republicans pushing for death penalty in all 50 states for undocumented murderers

Church volunteer and mom will head to prison for five years after having sex with 13-year-old

Sweden’s national security adviser quits over dating site images one day into job

‘Fed up’ crowd in Massachusetts swarms ICE agents attempting to arrest mother