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Black Catholic Messenger: Pope Leo XIV Publicly Acknowledges African Roots in New Interview

September 19, 2025

The comments come after HNOC genealogist Jari C. Honora uncovered the pontiff’s New Orleans Creole roots earlier this year.

Pope Leo XIV speaks with author Elise Ann Allen from Crux Magazine during an interview in July 2025.
Pope Leo XIV speaks with author Elise Ann Allen from Crux Magazine during an interview in July 2025. Image courtesy of Crux Magazine
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“The comments are the first from Pope Leo on his ethnic roots since his election in May as supreme pontiff, which brought global shockwaves due to his identity as an American. Multiple Black genealogists, including New Orleans historian Jari Honora, soon revealed that Leo—born Robert Prevost in Chicago—is the grandson of a mixed-race Black Creole from Louisiana, the late Louise Baquié Martinez. ”

Nate Tinner-Williams, Black Catholic Messenger

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Pope Leo XIV spoke with author Elise Ann Allen of Crux Magazine for the interview in July 2025.

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

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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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