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WWL Radio: Daniel Hammer Discusses Pope Leo XIV and Upcoming Exhibitions

June 2, 2025

HNOC’s president and CEO went on the Newell Normand Show to talk about the organization’s role in discovering the ancestry of the new pope and much more.

A headshot of Daniel Hammer, President and CEO of the Historic New Orleans Collection. The museum's courtyard can be seen in the background.
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“Besides our museum . . . . we have a large staff who provide the community with access to our collections for research, and who themselves are expert researchers. Jari Honora is a certified geneaologist, one of only five in the state of Louisiana, and he is a specialist in family histories—especially within the Creole community here in New Orleans.”

Daniel Hammer, HNOC president and CEO

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People reading and working at tables in a spacious, well-lit library with high ceilings. Theres a mezzanine level with bookshelves and more seating. Large windows, elegant chandeliers, and a patterned carpet add to the classic ambiance.

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Get an in-depth preview of HNOC’s upcoming “Echoes of Innovation” concert (March 4), with commentary from museum staff and community partners.
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HNOC in the News

NPR: Why Black Catholics in New Orleans Feel a Special Connection to Pope Leo XIV

June 5, 2025
HNOC family historian Jari Honora spoke with “All Things Considered” about the new pope’s Creole ancestry and what it means for residents of the 7th Ward.
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A screen capture of HNOC historian Jari Honora appearing on CBS Mornings.
HNOC in the News

CBS Mornings: What to Know about Pope Leo XIV’s Ancestry

May 27, 2025
It was recently revealed that new pope has Louisiana Creole ancestry. Jari Honora, a family historian at the Historic New Orleans Collection, made the discovery and joined “CBS Mornings Plus” to explain.
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