Whereas the remainder of the world has been shedding its thoughts over the information that the Catholic Church simply elected its first American-born pope in Pope Leo XIV, at The Root, we’re extra within the information that the primary American-born pope has Black roots.
New Orleans-based genealogist Jari C. Honora first broke the information about this attention-grabbing department of Pope Leo’s household tree, when he found that the pope’s maternal grandparents have been recognized as “mulatto” and “Black” in census knowledge from the nineteenth century – and for many individuals, that’s adequate to get them an invitation to the cookout.
“CBS Mornings” went straight to Pope Leo’s household to substantiate Honora’s discovery. In a Might 9 interview, the brand new pontiff’s older brother, John Prevost, informed host Gayle King that he’s not fully certain concerning the household’s Black connection as a result of it wasn’t one thing they ceaselessly talked about.
“I am conscious that my mom’s mother and father have been from Haiti, and we’re conscious that her sisters have been all born in New Orleans,” he informed King. “However aside from that, I actually couldn’t let you know an entire lot.”
In response to information obtained by The Nationwide Catholic Reporter, Prevost’s mom, Mildred Martinez, “was the mixed-race daughter of Black property homeowners, the Haitian-born Joseph Martinez and New Orleans native Louise Baquié, a Creole.”
Folks within the feedback of the CBS interview gave Prevost props for being sincere about what he is aware of about his ancestry.
“Not less than he’s not ashamed to say that his household is half Haitian. Be happy with your ancestors’,“ wrote somebody.
Whereas everybody from White Sox followers to Haitians to Villanova alumni are claiming the brand new pontiff as considered one of their very own, his brother says it’s an indication that he’s doing his job.
“A part of his job is to deliver the Catholic group collectively once more, and it’s already began,” he stated.