The first American pope has a family history with deep ties to New Orleans. Robert Prevost, who has chosen the name Pope Leo XIV, was elected as the next pontiff on Thursday following a two-day conclave. According to New Orleans historian Jari Christopher Honora, Pope Leo has Creole roots on his mother’s side. “The fact that he comes from our local Creole community is really, really thrilling,” Honora said.In a city entrenched in the Catholic church, news of Pope Leo XIV’s deep roots in New Orleans sent shock waves.”It’s just really exciting to know that the pope is our homeboy, per se, that he has deep New Orleans roots,” said Honora.The genealogist said he watched as white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel, signaling a new pope.As soon as he heard the name Robert Prevost, he began uncovering the pope’s family history in the Crescent City.”In the 1900s, it shows the Martinez family, Joseph and Louise, and their oldest children living at 1533 Prieur Street,” Honora said.The pope’s mother, Mildred Martinez, was born in Chicago , but she was the first child of her parents not born in New Orleans.Census data shows that the pope’s grandparents married at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church on Annette Street in 1887 and lived in the 7th Ward until they left for Chicago.”It makes him a universal person. Here’s an American whose ministry was in Peru who has roots in the American South and also ancestry in the American Black community,” said former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial.That data also shows that the pope’s family had ties to Haiti and were considered people of color. “The Holy Father’s ancestors are identified as either Black or Mulatto,” Honora said.People said they never thought they would see an American pope, especially one with deep ties to the South.”It’s very cool to see him be represented in his New Orleans genealogy with his lineage from here,” said Aaron Press.As the pope assumes his new role, people from New Orleans say they’re more invested in learning about the man who now leads the Catholic Church.”My interest is piqued and I’m definitely going to keep doing my research,” said Honora.
The first American pope has a family history with deep ties to New Orleans.
Robert Prevost, who has chosen the name Pope Leo XIV, was elected as the next pontiff on Thursday following a two-day conclave.
According to New Orleans historian Jari Christopher Honora, Pope Leo has Creole roots on his mother’s side.
“The fact that he comes from our local Creole community is really, really thrilling,” Honora said.
In a city entrenched in the Catholic church, news of Pope Leo XIV’s deep roots in New Orleans sent shock waves.
“It’s just really exciting to know that the pope is our homeboy, per se, that he has deep New Orleans roots,” said Honora.
The genealogist said he watched as white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel, signaling a new pope.
As soon as he heard the name Robert Prevost, he began uncovering the pope’s family history in the Crescent City.
“In the 1900s, it shows the Martinez family, Joseph and Louise, and their oldest children living at 1533 Prieur Street,” Honora said.
The pope’s mother, Mildred Martinez, was born in Chicago , but she was the first child of her parents not born in New Orleans.
Census data shows that the pope’s grandparents married at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church on Annette Street in 1887 and lived in the 7th Ward until they left for Chicago.
“It makes him a universal person. Here’s an American whose ministry was in Peru who has roots in the American South and also ancestry in the American Black community,” said former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial.
That data also shows that the pope’s family had ties to Haiti and were considered people of color.
“The Holy Father’s ancestors are identified as either Black or Mulatto,” Honora said.
People said they never thought they would see an American pope, especially one with deep ties to the South.
“It’s very cool to see him be represented in his New Orleans genealogy with his lineage from here,” said Aaron Press.
As the pope assumes his new role, people from New Orleans say they’re more invested in learning about the man who now leads the Catholic Church.
“My interest is piqued and I’m definitely going to keep doing my research,” said Honora.
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