The Truth Behind Pope Leo’s Heritage and Family Tree

It's normal to want to know more about the new pope. Pope Leo XIV was elected as Pope Francis's successor in 2025 and officially began his papacy on May 8, 2025. He has an interesting family ancestry as the first elected Pope from the United States. Pope Leo has also lived in various places and holds three different countries of citizenship. Ready to learn more? Click through the slideshow to learn the truth behind Pope Leo's heritage and family tree.

On September 14, 1955, Pope Leo was born in Chicago, Illinois as Robert Francis Prevost.

Pope Leo's parents were also born in Chicago, although their family ties stretch past Illinois.

His mother, Mildred Agnes Prevost, was born to a mixed-race Creole family from New Orleans. Her parents – Pope Leo's grandparents – had ties to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Census demographics changed a lot from 1820 to 1930. Pope Leo's maternal grandparents were listed as Black and White depending on the census year.

Joseph Martínez, Pope Leo's grandfather, was a Hispaniola-born mixed-race man. Pope Leo's grandmother was born in New Orleans to a Creole-mixed family.

Joseph Martínez's parents were originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Pope Leo's family on his mother's side moved to Chicago during the 1920s.

Louis Marius Prevost – Pope Leo's father – has French and Italian roots. His father grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood and was a World War 2 veteran.

Pope Leo's paternal grandparents weren't born in the United States. His grandmother, Suzanne Fontaine, was from Le Havre, France. His grandfather was Sicilian and was born in Milazzo, Italy.

Pope Leo has two brothers. Louis Prevost is the oldest. He lives in Florida and has very different views on politics compared to Pope Leo. He supports the MAGA movement.

Pope Leo's other brother is John Prevost. He lives in Chicago and was previously in education.

Pope Leo spent a lot of time in Peru. He did missionary work in the country during the 1980s and 1990s. In 2015, he returned to the country as Bishop of Chiclayo until 2023. He was naturalized as a Peruvian citizen in 2025.

Pope Leo was ordained as a priest on June 19, 1982, by Jean Jadot. He was then created cardinal by Pope Francis on September 30, 2023.

Pope Leo's education is extensive. He seemed to want to live a religious life from the start. For four years he attended St. Augustine Seminary High School. After high school, Pope Leo studied at Villanova University, earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in mathematics in 1977. Just a few short years later, Pope Leo enrolled in the Catholic Theological Union to obtain a Master of Divinity (MDiv).