Claims have emerged that Pope Leo XIV, the leader of the Catholic Church, is of mixed-race descent.
According to The New York Times (NYT) on the 8th (local time), genealogist Jerry Honora claimed that Leo XIV is confirmed to be the grandson of African Creole residents of Louisiana.
The marriage certificate revealed by Honora lists the names of Leo XIV's maternal grandmother, Louise Baqui, and his maternal grandfather, Joseph Martinez. The grandmother's name is a common French name among Creole residents.
In early 18th-century Louisiana, a French colony, Creole has a complex meaning. It refers to European descendants born on the American continent, but it generally indicates a mix of European and African ancestry.
At that time, Creoles spoke French and had high education levels. Particularly due to French influence, there were many Catholics. Even before the abolition of slavery in the U.S., most Creoles in the region were free people. They also played a significant role in various fields, including art and commerce, contributing greatly to the birth and development of New Orleans jazz.
According to Honora, Leo XIV's maternal grandfather and grandmother married at a church in New Orleans in 1887 and moved to Chicago between 1910 and 1912. The couple gave birth to Leo XIV's mother, Mildred Martinez, in Chicago. Leo XIV was also born in Chicago.
The NYT reported that it is not confirmed whether Leo XIV has publicly mentioned his lineage. No African pope has been elected since the medieval period. However, some popes, such as Gelasius I, who led the Vatican at the end of the 5th century, are said to have had African ancestry.
Earlier, following the passing of Pope Francis, a prophecy by Nostradamus, a 16th-century French astrologer (real name Michel de Nostredame), drew attention. This prophecy not only predicted Pope Francis's passing but also hinted at details regarding his successor.
According to Economic Times and others, Nostradamus's book of prophecies published in 1555 includes a passage stating, "A young man with black skin will deliver a wallet to another person with red skin with the help of a great king." There are opinions suggesting that this should not be taken literally as a 'black-skinned pope,' as well as claims that it refers to a leader dressed in the black robes worn by Jesuit priests to which Pope Francis belongs, and interpretations that it symbolizes a significant change in the leadership of the Catholic Church.