Pope's Creole Ancestry: A Louisiana Family's Hidden History

Pope Leo's Louisiana Roots: A Genealogical Discovery Reveals a Wealthy Creole Heritage New Orleans, LA – May 15, 2025 – A recent genealogical investigation has unearthed a surprising connection between Pope Leo XIV and a prominent Creole family of color in Louisiana. NBC News correspondent Maya Eaglin spoke with genealogist Alex DaPaul Lee, who meticulously traced the Pope's lineage back to this influential family. Lee's research, utilizing birth certificates, marriage licenses, and other historical records from the Louisiana State Archives and Opelousas Post, reveals a history of significant wealth and property ownership. "One of the most significant things about Louisiana was that women could own property, and they have been owning property since the early inception, especially free women of color," Lee explained in an interview with NBC News. This finding sheds light on the often-overlooked economic contributions of Creole women in Louisiana's history. The video also explores the migration of Creole families from Louisiana to Illinois, noting that Illinois was once part of the Louisiana Territory. This migration, according to Lee, was partly due to better civil liberties available to people of color in the northern states. Lee's work provides a fascinating glimpse into the rich and complex history of Creole families in Louisiana and their descendants, underscoring the importance of preserving and understanding our shared past. The discovery of Pope Leo's connection to this heritage adds a new layer to the narrative of the Catholic Church and its global reach.