Joel Conte Genealogy

Ancestry Discovers Pope Leo XIV’s Sicilian Roots

Genealogists at Ancestry uncovered compelling documents that trace the paternal line of Robert Prevost, now known to the world as Pope Leo XIV.

The pope’s paternal grandfather was born Salvatore Giovanni Gaetano Riggitano in 1876 in Milazzo, in the province of Messina, island of Sicily, Italy. His grandfather later took the French surname “Prevost” which was the maiden name of his wife’s (Suzanne Fontaine) mother, Jeanne Eugenie Prevost.

A real American story made possible by immigrants. Not the typical American story that first comes to mind with "The First American Pope", but relevant and significant nonetheless.

Ancestry Discovers Pope Leo XIV’s Sicilian Roots Learn more about some of the interesting discoveries Ancestry genealogists discovered about Pope Leo XIV's family history.

Genealogist discovered Pope Leo XIV's maternal family (Martinez) descended from Black Creole roots, settled in New Orleans, and migrated to Chicago. A real American story, but not the typical American story from the history books.

"Robert Francis Prevost, the Chicago-born man who became Pope Leo XIV on Thursday, has Black family roots in New Orleans, Louisiana, records show.

ABC News has obtained several records, including U.S. Census records from the early 1900s, demonstrating that the first American pope's family tree reflects the complex racial history of this country.

Both of Leo XIV's maternal grandparents, Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié, are described as Black or mulatto in several census documents."

Pope Leo XIV's family tree shows Black roots in New Orleans Pope Leo XIV's family tree reflects America's complex racial history, according to records obtained by ABC News.

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