HNOC in the News

NY Times: New Pope Has Creole Roots in New Orleans, Genealogist Says

May 8, 2025

Read about how HNOC family historian Jari C. Honora uncovered the family history of Robert Prevost, just hours after he was announced as the next pope.

A smiling man in a suit and tie stands in front of a blurred background. He is wearing glasses and a nametag on his lapel.

Jari C. Honora, HNOC family historian

“This discovery is just an additional reminder of how interwoven we are as Americans,” Mr. Honora said in a text message late Thursday. “I hope that it will highlight the long history of Black Catholics, both free and enslaved, in this country, which includes the Holy Father’s family.”

Richard Fausset, New York Times

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More on Pope Leo XIV from HNOC

First Draft

From the French Quarter to the Vatican

Shortly after Robert Francis Prevost was announced as the first American pope, HNOC’s Jari C. Honora uncovered a surprising New Orleans connection, revealing the pontiff’s maternal grandparents to be Creoles of color from the Seventh Ward.

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A boy in white lay garments leads a church procession down the street, followed by other boys in white lay garments wearing crucifixes and holding chalices.

Research

Genealogy Resources

Our experts at the Williams Research Center are available to help you dive into your family history.

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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.

Related Collection Highlights

A close-up of an ancient artifact showcasing intricate circular engravings with faded symbols and a star design. The piece is metallic with a worn, darkened surface, suggesting historical significance.

Ursuline Communion Wafer Iron

What this waffle iron look-alike tells us about female agency and spirituality in colonial New Orleans

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Le Spiritualiste

When séances were all the rage, New Orleans produced the nation’s first and only French-language publication devoted to Spiritualism.

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Portrait of a woman with dark hair, wearing a black dress with a white collar. She is seated, holding a small object in her left hand, against a plain background. Her expression is calm and composed.

Cane River Collection

Over 1,400 legal and financial documents amount to a detailed record of one slice of 19th-century Black Creole life.

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Related News

HNOC, OperaCreole, and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra presented Musical Louisiana 2025 at St. Louis Cathedral.

HNOC in the News

Gambit: Musical Louisiana Concert Highlights Works of Underrecognized Creole Composers

March 2, 2026

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

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.

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.