The Untold Creole Roots: 5 Shocking Discoveries Connecting Pope Leo XIV To New Orleans’ Historic Seventh Ward

The election of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, has sent ripples of excitement across the globe, but nowhere is the connection felt more profoundly than in the historic city of New Orleans. The discovery of the new pontiff’s deep, complex, and previously unknown ancestral ties to the Crescent City—specifically its historically Black and Creole Seventh Ward—has become a major news story as of late 2025, revealing a fascinating chapter in both papal history and American genealogy. This unprecedented connection, traced through centuries of local church records, has cemented New Orleans' unique place in the Catholic world and sparked a fresh look at the city’s rich Creole heritage. This article, updated for December 2025, delves into the groundbreaking genealogical findings that link the first American-born Pope to the heart of Louisiana, exploring the specific family lines, the cultural significance, and the major museum exhibit that is bringing this story to light. The narrative is one of hidden history, profound faith, and the enduring legacy of the New Orleans Creole community.

Biography and Profile of Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost)

The man who became Pope Leo XIV, a name that echoes the great social reformer Pope Leo XIII, brings a unique American and Latin American background to the papacy. His personal history is now inextricably linked with the complex social fabric of New Orleans.

• Birth Name: Robert Francis Prevost
• Regnal Name: Pope Leo XIV
• Date of Birth: September 14, 1955
• Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA
• Religious Order: Order of Saint Augustine (OSA)
• Key Roles Before Papacy: Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru; Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops
• Ancestral Lineage Focus: Maternal side (Martínez family) traced to New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Historical Significance: First Pope from the United States of America.
• Namesake Connection: The name Leo XIV is seen as a nod to Pope Leo XIII, known for his work on social justice and the encyclical *Rerum Novarum*.

The Groundbreaking Genealogical Discovery in New Orleans

The news of Pope Leo XIV’s election was quickly followed by a stunning revelation: his maternal family tree had deep, traceable roots in New Orleans. This was not a vague connection, but a documented lineage that highlights the rich, yet often overlooked, history of Creole and Black Catholics in the city.

The Role of Genealogist Chris Smothers and the Seventh Ward

The key to unlocking this history was the meticulous work of genealogists, most notably Chris Smothers, founder of Unearthing Your Roots. Smothers and other researchers from the Archdiocese of New Orleans were able to trace the maternal line of the Pope—the Martínez family—back through centuries of local church records. The most significant finding places the family firmly in the Seventh Ward of New Orleans. Historically, the Seventh Ward has been a cornerstone of the city’s free people of color and Creole communities. This discovery meant the new pontiff was not just "American," but specifically connected to a community that navigated the complex racial and social hierarchies of Louisiana's past. The maternal grandmother and great-grandmother of Robert Francis Prevost were residents of this historic neighborhood. Their presence in the city’s church records—documenting baptisms, marriages, and burials—provided the irrefutable evidence linking the papacy to the Crescent City's Creole heritage.

5 Entities and Discoveries That Link the Pope to Louisiana

The genealogical research uncovered a wealth of entities and historical facts that firmly establish the Pope’s Louisiana lineage:

1. The Martínez Family Line: The Pope's mother, Mildred Martínez Prevost, was a Chicago native, but her family's origins are directly traced to New Orleans.
2. The Seventh Ward: The specific geographical anchor of the family, highlighting their status within a vibrant, historically Black and Creole neighborhood.
3. Church Records: The use of centuries-old records from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, including those potentially from historic parishes like St. Louis Cathedral or St. Augustine Church, which served the Creole community.
4. French and Spanish Heritage: The Creole lineage itself reflects a blend of French, Spanish, and African ancestry, common in New Orleans. The family tree of Robert Francis Prevost is noted for its mix of French, Italian, Spanish, and Louisiana Creole descent.
5. The Old Ursuline Convent Museum Exhibit: The swift creation of a major exhibit, "Rooted in Faith: Pope Leo XIV’s Louisiana Lineage," which publicly displays the family tree and historical documents.

The Cultural and Historical Significance of the Creole Connection

The revelation of Pope Leo XIV’s Creole roots is far more than a historical footnote; it carries immense cultural and historical weight, especially for the Catholic Church in the United States and the global Creole community.

A Reflection of America’s Complex Racial History

The genealogical findings, as noted by researchers, are a reflection of America’s complex racial history. The Creole community in New Orleans has a unique and often challenging history, navigating the eras of French and Spanish colonial rule, the Louisiana Purchase, and the subsequent periods of Jim Crow and segregation. The Pope’s family history is intertwined with the story of passing, racial identity, and resilience within the Catholic faith. By tracing his lineage through the Seventh Ward, the narrative acknowledges the long-standing, deep-seated faith of Black and Creole Catholics in New Orleans, a community whose contributions to the Church have not always been fully recognized. Former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial spoke about the significance of this heritage, highlighting the importance of the Creole roots.

The Old Ursuline Convent Museum: A Focal Point for History

The Old Ursuline Convent Museum in the French Quarter quickly became the epicenter for this historical discovery. The new exhibit, "Rooted in Faith: Pope Leo XIV’s Louisiana Lineage," is a testament to the importance of the findings. The museum, which itself is an integral part of New Orleans' Catholic history as the oldest continuously operating Catholic institution in the US, is using the exhibit to showcase the power of genealogy. Visitors can explore the family tree, view reproductions of the church records, and learn about the Creole culture that shaped the Pope's ancestors. This exhibit serves as a powerful bridge, connecting the Vatican to the streets of New Orleans, and the past to the present. The local excitement is palpable, with many Black Catholics in New Orleans feeling a sense of personal connection, with some even wondering if they are related to the pontiff. The story of Pope Leo XIV and his New Orleans heritage is a vibrant, fresh narrative that enriches the history of the Catholic Church and shines a spotlight on the enduring legacy of the Crescent City’s Creole people.