Pope Leo XIV's Creole Heritage Sheds Light on Racism and the Church in America

NEW ORLEANS -- The recent election of Pope Leo XIV has sparked interest in his familial background, particularly his significant ties to New Orleans. Jari Honora, a genealogist based in the city, uncovered that all four of the pope's maternal great-grandparents were classified as 'free people of color' in 19th-century Louisiana census records. This lineage positions the pope within the rich tapestry of Creole culture, which is a blend of French, Spanish, African, and Native American influences.

Honora, who is also a historian at the Historic New Orleans Collection, expressed pride in sharing this heritage, noting that many in the local Catholic community in New Orleans resonate with the pope's background. His election is seen as a pivotal moment that could foster unity within the global Catholic Church and highlight the often-overlooked contributions of Black Catholics.

Pope Leo XIV, originally from Chicago and with extensive experience in Peru, has yet to publicly comment on his roots. However, there are indications that he may also have ancestral connections to Haiti, with conflicting historical records regarding his grandfather, Joseph Norval Martinez. Despite uncertainties, the cultural diversity present in the pope's ancestry is noteworthy.

Andrew Jolivette, a sociology professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, emphasized that the pope's family history embodies the complex identities of Creole people. He noted the presence of Cuban ancestry on the maternal side, contributing to a sense of pride among Creoles, and argued that Leo should be recognized as a Latino pope, given the significant Latino heritage in Creole identity.

Historically, most Creoles have been Catholic, with their faith serving as a vital connection during migrations to cities such as Chicago. The pope's maternal grandparents were identified as 'mulatto' and 'Black' in historical documents and married in New Orleans in 1887 before relocating to Chicago around 1910, a common trend for many African American families seeking refuge from racial oppression in the South.

Honora pointed out that the family's shifting racial identity reflects the struggles faced by people of color in the United States. The pope's mother, born Mildred Agnes Martinez in Chicago, was recorded as 'white' on her birth certificate, a decision likely influenced by societal pressures to conceal their heritage.

Furthermore, the home of the pope's grandparents in New Orleans was demolished in the 1960s to make way for a highway project, which displaced many Black residents. Former New Orleans mayor Marc Morial characterized this family history as emblematic of the broader American narrative concerning the escape from racism and bigotry.

The Rev. Ajani Gibson, leading a predominantly Black congregation at St. Peter Claver Church in New Orleans, views the pope's background as a reaffirmation of the African American influence on Catholicism in the region. He highlighted that much of what is cherished about New Orleans culture, including Mardi Gras and its vibrant music scene, has roots in both Black and Catholic traditions.

Gibson hopes that the pope's Creole heritage will promote inclusivity within the Catholic Church, emphasizing that all individuals have a place within it. Shannen Dee Williams, a history professor, remarked that the pope's ancestry and papacy could underscore the intertwined histories of Catholicism and the African diaspora, advocating for a more reconciled understanding of these historical narratives.

Kim R. Harris, an associate professor at Loyola Marymount University, expressed that the pope's election brings hope for the canonization of African American Catholics who have yet to be recognized. The pope's lineage evokes a sense of connection to the historical struggles of Black Catholics and may inspire a broader acknowledgment of their contributions to the faith.

Reynold Verret, president of Xavier University of Louisiana, the only historically Black Catholic university, noted the significance of the pope's heritage as a joyful affirmation of the universality of the Catholic Church. It reinforces the idea that Black Catholics have remained steadfast in their faith despite the church's historical shortcomings.