New Pope Revealed to Have Ancestral Ties to Celebrities and World Leaders

The newly elected Pope Leo XIV has a surprisingly diverse and star-studded family history, with roots tracing back to the 1500s across several countries. A renowned historian collaborated with genealogists to uncover his lineage, which includes prominent figures from the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Leo XIV’s ancestry features ancestors born in France, Italy, Spain, Cuba, Haiti, Canada, and Guadeloupe. Notably, he counts at least 17 relatives of African descent, including his Haitian grandfather, Joseph Nerval Martínez. His family history also involves connections to slaveholders, with several ancestors who were black and some who owned slaves.

His rise to the papacy marked a historic milestone as the first American-born pontiff. Interestingly, his family ties extend to famous figures such as Madonna, Justin Bieber, Angelina Jolie, Hillary Clinton, and Justin Trudeau, many of whom are ninth cousins, many times removed.

Connections to Cultural Icons

For example, Pope Leo XIV is related to pop icon Madonna, sharing a distant cousinship. Similarly, he is linked to Justin Bieber and actress Angelina Jolie. His notable ancestry also includes literary legend Jack Kerouac.

Leo XIV ascended to the papacy on May 9 after a quick election process that lasted only two days and four ballots. He is the 267th pope in the history of the Catholic Church, succeeding Pope Francis, who passed away in April after battling health issues.