Key Points:
- Pope Leo XIV is related to celebrities like Justin Bieber, Madonna, Hillary Clinton, and Angelina Jolie through a Canadian ancestor.
- He made history as the first-ever American-born pope with Creole roots in New Orleans.
- His mixed-race background and deep family history add new layers to the Church’s leadership story.
In a surprising twist that sounds like a Hollywood story, the new head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, is connected to some of the biggest names in music, politics, and film.
The 69-year-old, who made history as the first American-born pope, has family ties to pop stars Justin Bieber and Madonna, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, actress Angelina Jolie, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and even famous author Jack Kerouac.
This surprising family connection was discovered by The New York Times, which looked deep into Pope Leo’s roots across Europe and North America.
A Family Tree Filled with Stars
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, comes from a colourful and wide-reaching family. His ancestors once lived in Italy, Spain, and France. Some of them moved to Quebec, Canada, in the 1650s.
The pope is related to all these famous people through a man named Louis Boucher de Grandpré. He lived in a place called Trois-Rivières in Quebec. From this ancestor, a whole group of celebrity cousins came to be.
Yes — that includes Justin Bieber, Madonna, and even Hillary Clinton. It’s a mix that has surprised many people, especially because of the pope’s calm and holy image.
Madonna Once Asked to Meet the Pope
Madonna, known for her bold personality and hits like Like a Virgin, actually tried to meet the previous pope. In 2022, she wrote on social media asking Pope Francis if they could talk.
She joked that she had been kicked out of the Church three times and wanted to clear her name. It now turns out she shares a family line with the current pope, Leo XIV.
She wrote, “I’m a good Catholic. I swear! I mean, I don’t swear! It’s been a few decades since my last confession.”
The First Pope from the United States
Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago on 14 September 1955. His parents, Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Martínez, had Creole roots. That means his family came from New Orleans, a city known for its strong African, French, and Spanish heritage.
The Times revealed that at least 17 of his ancestors were described in old records as “free persons of colour,” “biracial,” and “quadroon.” This shows that Pope Leo’s family tree includes both Black and mixed-race ancestors who lived during times of slavery in America.
Even when he was a child, his brothers knew he had something special. “He played priest when others played army,” his brother John said. “The women on our street said he would be the first American pope.”
Now, their prediction has come true.
From pop stars to prime ministers, Pope Leo XIV’s story is as unique as it is inspiring. Who knew holiness could run in Hollywood too?
