It’s not every day the Pope shares a family tree with pop icons and political royalty. But that’s exactly the case for Pope Leo XIV, whose ancestry links him to global celebrities like Madonna, Justin Bieber, Angelina Jolie, and Hillary Clinton. This mind-blowing revelation has sparked curiosity around the world and it’s all backed by genealogy experts.
Highlights
- Pope Leo XIV is distantly related to Madonna, Justin Bieber, Hillary Clinton, and others.
- His lineage traces back to a French-Canadian ancestor from the 1600s.
- The pontiff also shares ancestry with Angelina Jolie, Jack Kerouac, and Justin Trudeau.
- The discovery was confirmed by experts and featured in Finding Your Roots.
- Leo XIV is the first American pope, with French, Haitian, Creole, and African-American roots.
Main Story
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV became the first American to lead the Catholic Church. But his background isn’t just historic, it’s celebrity-packed. Genealogists traced his family line to Louis Boucher de Grandpré, a Frenchman from 17th-century Quebec.
Through this ancestor, Leo XIV is a distant cousin—nine times removed or more—to some of the world’s most recognizable names. That includes pop superstar Madonna, Canadian singer Justin Bieber, Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He also shares ties with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and American author Jack Kerouac.
Pope Leo XIV’s roots reflect a global heritage. His lineage includes French, Spanish, Italian, Haitian, and Creole branches. His mother’s side connects him to Louisiana’s Creole community, and possibly to enslaved and free Black ancestors. The diversity of his background stands as a powerful symbol of inclusion and global connection.
The revelations were brought to light through in-depth research by PBS’s Finding Your Roots and other genealogy platforms, including American Ancestors. These findings have since gone viral, inspiring admiration and amusement worldwide at the unlikely links between the Vatican and Hollywood.
From Vatican robes to red carpets, Pope Leo XIV’s ancestry reminds us that our pasts are more connected than we think and sometimes, family comes with a little fame.
