Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV on May 8, succeeding Pope Francis, who passed away at 88. In his first public address, Leo called for global peace, including in Ukraine, Gaza, and between India and Pakistan.
Known for his progressive stances, Pope Leo has also criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies, including reposting a viral thread in 2018 condemning the separation of migrant families.
But now, another headline is making waves: he’s related to Madonna.
Thanks to Finding Your Roots host Henry Louis Gates Jr., genealogists traced Pope Leo’s lineage back to the 1500s. The shocking discovery? He and Madonna are ninth cousins (various times removed) through a shared ancestor from the 1590s.
Social media exploded:
“Royalty meets pop royalty!”
“Papa don’t preach, but her cousin does.”
“Wait—how distant is too distant?”
And Madonna’s not the only connection. Pope Leo is also distantly related to Justin Bieber, Angelina Jolie, Hillary Clinton, Jack Kerouac, and even Pierre and Justin Trudeau.
His ancestry includes a wide spectrum of historical figures—noblemen, enslaved people, freedom fighters, and more—making him one of the most globally connected popes in history.
