Pope Leo XIV is technically related to Justin Bieber, Madonna and Angelina Jolie

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Pope Leo XIV, head of the Catholic Church, boasts a lineage brimming with intriguing connections, such as musical icons like Justin Bieber and Madonna, along with prominent political figures.

Research conducted by the New York Times Magazine has uncovered a fascinating familial connection between Pope Francis (originally Robert Francis Prevost) and several well-known celebrities. This bond stems from a common ancestor, Louis Boucher de Grandpre, a 17th-century French Canadian whose lineage eventually expanded throughout North America.

Pope Leo can trace his ancestry back to a common lineage that includes Bieber, Madonna, Angelina Jolie, Hillary Clinton, and Justin Trudeau. They all share roots with French settlers who moved to Quebec in the 1600s; their family trees spread across generations into the United States.

Silvio! It turns out we’re kin to the Pope! Let’s strike a pose!

The Pope’s diverse heritage explored

However, it’s important to note that while he may have famous relatives, his rich ancestry goes far beyond celebrity connections. His family tree stretches across Spain, Italy, France, Cuba, and the U.S., reaching back to colonial times and the American South.

His ancestors on his mother’s side resided in New Orleans’ historic Seventh Ward and were documented as Black and multiracial. At least 17 of his ancestors were categorized as “mulatto,” “quadroon,” or “free people of color,” according to the article. One of his great-great-grandmothers was identified as a “free negresse” in early 19th-century Louisiana records.

It’s worth noting that, surprisingly, some of his Black forbearers were themselves slave owners – a seldom-discussed fact about free Black property holders in Louisiana during the 19th century.

In my family’s history, on my dad’s lineage, there’s an intriguing tale about an Italian grandfather. He was once a clergyman, but he left the priesthood to be with a woman from France, which led to quite a stir in our family that eventually resulted in us taking on the surname “Prevost,” a decision that can be traced back to the Pope’s kinship.

One of his notable kin includes Antonio José de Sucre, a key figure in South American liberation alongside Simón Bolívar. Interestingly, Sucre and the first president of Bolivia, share an ancestry with the Spanish military lineage traced back to the popes.

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2025-06-18 12:48