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New York Post
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Pope Leo XIV has scads of famous cousins — including Madonna, Justin Bieber and more
From Holy See to Hollywood. A noted historian dug into Pope Leo XIV's family tree, discovering it includes a who's who of A-list celebrities, political figures and even a famous novelist. Harry Louis Gates Jr., longtime host of PBS' 'Finding Your Roots,' a docuseries that explores the ancestry of noteworthy people, recently collaborated with genealogists at the Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami and American Ancestors and traced the new pontiff's family history back to the 1500s, making some unexpected discoveries. 3 Pope Leo XIV became the first American pontiff on May 8. AP For starters, Leo XIV comes from a strikingly diverse background, with ancestors born all around the world, from France, Italy, Spain and the US to Cuba, Canada, Haiti and Guadeloupe, an archipelago nation in the eastern Caribbean. The pope also has at least 17 black relatives, including his grandfather, Joseph Nerval Martínez, who was born in Haiti. Leo XIV also had a dozen ancestors who were slaveholders, eight of whom were black. Pope Leo XIV's ascent to the papacy was historical significance partly due to him being the first pontiff to hail from North America, and his ancestry includes a number of household names from the continent. He's ninth cousins — many times removed — with superstars including Madonna, Justin Bieber and Angelina Jolie, as well as Hillary Clinton and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 3 Pop icon Madonna is one of Pope Leo XIV's famous cousins. AFP via Getty Images Rounding out his roster of famous cousins is 'On the Road' author Jack Kerouac. Pope Leo XIV, 70, became pontiff May 9 after just two days and four rounds of voting by the College of Cardinals at the Vatican. 3 Pope Leo XIV is ninth cousins, many times removed, with singer Justin Bieber. GC Images He is the 267th pope in the history of the Roman Catholic church, and follows Pope Francis, 88, who died April 21 after battling respiratory illness culminating in a stroke and heart failure.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Madonna and the Pope are distant cousins? The internet can't get enough of it
In a plot twist that feels straight out of a Dan Brown novel (minus the murder and secret codes), it turns out that Madonna—the Queen of Pop, is actually related to the new head of the Catholic Church. According to none other than renowned historian and genealogy expert Henry Louis Gates Jr., Madonna and Pope Leo XIV (aka Robert Prevost) are ninth cousins, several times removed. This revelation comes from Finding Your Roots, the long-running PBS documentary series hosted by Gates. The show, which has previously connected celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Anderson Cooper to historical surprises, took a deep dive into the new Pope's lineage. And what do you know? Tucked somewhere in the tangled family tree is a 16th-century Québécois man named Louis Boucher de Grandpré, born in the 1590s. He's the common ancestor linking the 66-year-old pop icon and the 69-year-old pontiff. As Gates explained—and as The New York Times confirmed—this unexpected bloodline connection doesn't stop with Madonna. Pope Leo XIV is also distant cousins with Justin Bieber, Angelina Jolie, Hillary Clinton, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, and even Beat Generation author Jack Kerouac. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em Ilha Comprida (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo That's one serious crossover between the Vatican and the Vanity Fair party guest list. And let's be clear: this isn't just a fun celebrity trivia nugget. It actually tells us something bigger about the world we live in. Genealogy—especially in this digital, DNA-testing age—is starting to reveal just how interconnected our stories are. It's a reminder that lineage doesn't care about public personas or controversies. Families are messy. History is messier. It also speaks to how celebrity narratives have evolved. This isn't just tabloid material. It's part of a larger conversation about heritage, identity, and the complicated legacies we inherit—even when we have no idea they exist. We probably won't see a family reunion anytime soon (though the internet would absolutely lose its mind if they appeared in a selfie together). Still, it's kind of comforting to know that even the most unlikely people might be connected in some small way. And maybe, just maybe, it's proof that the past has a wild sense of humor. So there you have it: Madonna and Pope Leo XIV are ninth cousins, several times removed. One changed pop culture. The other leads a billion Catholics worldwide. And somewhere, their shared ancestor from 400 years ago is probably watching this unfold and thinking, 'I did not see this coming.' Welcome to 2025—where Madonna and the Pope are family. Literally.
The Star
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Pope Leo XIV related to Madonna, Justin Bieber, Angelina Jolie
(Clockwise from left) Pope Leo has famous distant relatives including Madonna, Justin Bieber and Angelina Jolie. Photos: AFP, Madonna/Instagram, TNS, Handout American pop queen Madonna is reportedly related to Pope Leo XIV, who was elected head of the Catholic Church in May. According to American historian Henry Louis Gates Jr, the host of US documentary series Finding Your Roots (2012 to present), the 66-year-old American singer and 69-year-old American pontiff have been found to be 'ninth cousins, various times removed', reported The New York Times . The team behind the show had traced the religious leader's roots through a distant maternal relative born in the 1590s. Pope Leo, whose birth name is Robert Prevost, is also ninth cousins with various celebrities, including Canadian singer Justin Bieber and American actress Angelina Jolie. He is also related to former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In response to the news, Madonna posted a photograph of herself and her 94-year-old father Silvio Ciccone on Instagram Stories on June 16, saying: 'Silvio! We're related to the Pope!' The singer was born and raised in a Catholic family and attended Catholic schools. Throughout her four-decade career, Madonna has made headlines for heavy references to Catholicism, most notably in her controversial Like A Prayer (1989) music video. It included scenes of her dancing in a church in front of burning crosses and with a wax saint, which led to sharp criticism from the Vatican then. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Straits Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
‘Ninth cousins, various times removed': Pop star Madonna and Pope Leo XIV are related
Madonna is reportedly related to Pope Leo XIV, according to American historian Henry Louis Gates Jr, the host of US documentary series Finding Your Roots. PHOTOS: AFP American pop queen Madonna is reportedly related to Pope Leo XIV, who was elected head of the Catholic Church in May. According to American historian Henry Louis Gates Jr, the host of US documentary series Finding Your Roots (2012 to present), the 66-year-old American singer and 69-year-old American pontiff have been found to be 'ninth cousins, various times removed', reported The New York Times. The team behind the show had traced the religious leader's roots through a distant maternal relative born in the 1590s. Pope Leo, whose birth name is Robert Prevost, is also ninth cousins with various celebrities, including Canadian singer Justin Bieber and American actress Angelina Jolie. He is also related to former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. In response to the news, Madonna posted a photograph of herself and her 94-year-old father Silvio Ciccone on Instagram Stories on June 16, saying: 'Silvio! We're related to the Pope!' Madonna's response upon finding out that she and Pope Leo XIV are related. PHOTO: MADONNA/INSTAGRAM The singer was born and raised in a Catholic family and attended Catholic schools. Throughout her four-decade career, Madonna has made headlines for heavy references to Catholicism, most notably in her controversial Like A Prayer (1989) music video. It included scenes of her going to a church where she dances in front of burning crosses and with a wax saint, which led to sharp criticism from the Vatican then. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Toronto Sun
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Pope Leo related to Madonna, Justin Bieber and Justin Trudeau
Pope Leo, left, and Madonna Photo by Alberto Pizzoli; Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Family comes in all shapes and forms — just ask Pope Leo XIV. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account It's safe to say that the unlikely pairing were not on your bingo card but it turns out, the pontiff and Madonna are 'ninth cousins, various times removed,' Henry Louis Gates Jr., host of the PBS show Finding Your Roots, revealed in the New York Times . Gates traced the American Pope's lineage and discovered the pontiff — born Robert Francis Prevost — and Madge were linked to Canadian ancestor Louis Boucher de Grandpre, who was born in Trois-Rivières, Que., Gates noted in the Times . But Madonna isn't the Pope's only famous relative; Leo is also related to numerous Canadian-derived distant cousins, including Angelina Jolie, Hillary Clinton, Justin Bieber, Pierre and Justin Trudeau and Jack Kerouac — making for a pretty star-studded family tree. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Material Girl hasn't been shy about her difficult past with the Catholic church she was raised in. Her racy video for her 1989 hit 'Like a Prayer' stirred up controversy for burning crosses and its sexy depiction of Jesus. Pope John Paul II urged fans in Italy to boycott Madonna and skip her Blond Ambition tour the following year. Then in 2006, Madge sparked outrage for her mock crucifixion during a concert in Rome. That incident led Cardinal Ersilio Tonino, with the approval of Pope Benedict XVI, to declare that she 'should be excommunicated,' according to the London Evening Standard . 'To crucify herself during the concert in the city of popes and martyrs is an act of open hostility,' he continued. 'It is nothing short of a scandal and an attempt to generate publicity.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. That said, Madonna was quick to share the lineage news on her Instagram Stories, sharing a photo of them side by side and noting that Leo is a 'distant relative.' Leo XIV was elected as pope on May 8 following Pope Francis' death on April 21. Over the weekend, Al Pacino became the first movie star to meet the first American Pope. RECOMMENDED VIDEO 'We are honored to announce that this morning His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received in a private audience at the Holy See a delegation from the film 'Maserati: The Brothers,' including Oscar winner actor Al Pacino and the film's producer Andrea Iervolino,' Iervolino said in a statement, as per Variety . 'The meeting was a moment of profound spiritual and cultural inspiration, centred around shared values that lie at the heart of both the Catholic Church and the film: family unity, love, compassion and the importance of contributing to the common good.' Read More The Pope may have more official audiences with celebrities in his future given his relation to many of them. Toronto Maple Leafs Canada NHL Toronto Maple Leafs Ontario
