New Pope with American Roots and a Global Story

Great news from the Vatican! Cardinal Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago, is the new Pope, and he has chosen the name Leo XIV. This is a really big moment because he is the first Pope ever from the United States. People in the U.S. are very excited about this.

But Pope Leo XIV’s background is even more interesting! It turns out he has Creole roots from New Orleans, Louisiana. His mother’s parents were people of color from the Seventh Ward, a part of the city with a rich mix of African, Caribbean, and European cultures. His grandparents, Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié, moved to Chicago in the early 1900s. This discovery is important because it highlights the long history of Black Catholics in the United States. “Creole” can mean different things, but in this case, it refers to mixed-race people of color, many of whom were free people, well-educated, and Catholic.

Before becoming Pope, he spent much of his time in Peru. He arrived in northern Peru in 1985 and later became the bishop of Chiclayo, a city in northern Peru, from 2015 to 2023. The people in Chiclayo are very proud of him and even call him the “Peruvian Pope.” They remember him as someone who cared deeply for the community, helping people during floods and traveling to visit people in different areas. He was known for being humble, patient, and friendly, always there to help others. He even became a citizen of Peru. When he gave his first public speech as Pope, he specifically mentioned his “dear Chiclayo.”

Pope Leo XIV takes on the role of Pope at a time when the Catholic Church in the United States is quite complex and has some disagreements. In the U.S., there are different views among church leaders and everyday Catholics, creating some tension. Some people believe he will continue to speak out about issues like justice, peace, and helping refugees and the poor, similar to the previous Pope, Pope Francis. This approach might be different from the views of some more conservative Catholics in the U.S. His election as the first American Pope is a significant moment for the Catholic Church in the U.S., which is now the fourth largest in the world. Many hope that he can help bring unity to the church in America.

Pope Leo XIV’s journey to becoming Pope is a unique story that connects his American beginnings in Chicago and New Orleans with his many years of service in Peru. He is now the global leader of the Catholic Church, facing the task of leading a diverse community around the world.

This article is based on the following articles:

https://www.npr.org/2025/05/08/nx-s1-5385327/vatican-white-smoke-new-pope-conclave

Background Information

Understanding the Catholic Church and the Pope

• The Catholic Church is a major branch of Christianity, which is a religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
• The Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church worldwide. He is also the Bishop of Rome.
• The main headquarters of the Catholic Church is in a tiny country called Vatican City, which is located within the city of Rome, Italy.
• Cardinals are important officials in the Catholic Church who advise the Pope and, when a Pope passes away or resigns, they gather to elect the next Pope.

How a New Pope is Chosen

• The election of a new Pope is called a conclave. The Cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City to vote.
• When the Cardinals vote, the ballots are burned. If no Pope has been chosen, the smoke from the chimney is black.
• When a new Pope has been elected, the smoke that comes from the chimney is white. This tells the world that the Cardinals have made their decision.
• After the white smoke appears, the new Pope appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City to greet the people for the first time.

More About Creole Culture

• The term “Creole” in New Orleans can refer to people of mixed African, Caribbean, and European roots. Historically, many were known as “gens de couleur libres,” which means “free people of color”.
• These Creole people of color have a long history in Louisiana, going back almost as far as the state itself.
• They were often well-educated and French-speaking, and they made important contributions to business, building, and the arts, including the development of jazz music.
• Their culture is an important part of the diverse history of New Orleans.

The Significance of an American Pope

• For a long time, the United States was considered a place where the Catholic Church was still growing, like a “mission territory”.
• Having a Pope from the U.S. shows that the Catholic Church in America has grown and become a very important part of the global Catholic community. The U.S. now has the fourth largest Catholic population in the world.