Some stories feel stranger than fiction — and this one might just top them all. Imagine a man born in the heart of Chicago, rising through the Catholic Church to become the spiritual leader for over a billion people… only to discover he shares a family tree with none other than the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna.
That man is Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, and his celebrity ancestry is making headlines around the world.
Since his election to the papacy on May 8, Pope Leo XIV has already distinguished himself as a powerful, peace-driven voice, following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 this past April. But now, it’s not just his policies and global leadership that people are talking about — it’s his jaw-dropping family history.
From the Pulpit to Pop Culture: A Surprising Genealogical Twist
Pope Leo’s roots were recently explored on the long-running PBS series Finding Your Roots, hosted by the ever-curious and meticulous Henry Louis Gates Jr.. The show, known for uncovering surprising truths buried deep in family lines, has previously stunned audiences with celebrity links to royalty, presidents, and revolutionaries.
But even Gates admitted this latest discovery was something special.
Thanks to an intensive genealogical collaboration between American Ancestors and the Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami, researchers traced Pope Leo’s lineage back over 500 years — all the way to his 12th-great-grandparents, born in the early 1500s.
And somewhere along that long and winding ancestral path, a remarkable name popped up.
Madonna Louise Ciccone.
That’s right. According to records, Pope Leo XIV is ninth cousins (several times removed) with the iconic pop legend. Their shared ancestor, a woman born in the 1590s, links them together in a way no one could have expected.
It’s the kind of connection that leaves people scratching their heads — and chuckling at the irony.
“Papa Don’t Preach” — But Apparently, Her Distant Cousin Does
Naturally, once the news hit the internet, social media exploded.
On X (formerly Twitter), reactions poured in. One user joked:
“Wait, Pope Leo XIV is actually a distant relative of Madonna?! That’s such a wild and iconic connection. Like, royalty meets pop royalty? I’m obsessed with this tea.”
Another quipped:
“Papa don’t preach, but her distant cousin definitely does.”
The humor isn’t lost on anyone. But beneath the playful banter lies a fascinating reminder of how interconnected we all are, no matter how different our paths may seem.
More Than Just Madonna: A Star-Studded Family Web
But the surprises didn’t stop with Madonna.
Further digging revealed that Pope Leo XIV is also distantly related to a long list of public figures, both living and historical. Among them:
Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State and presidential candidate
Angelina Jolie, award-winning actress and humanitarian
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Pierre Trudeau, his father and also a former Canadian Prime Minister
Justin Bieber, pop singer and global superstar
Jack Kerouac, the legendary Beat Generation writer
These connections are traced through various branches of his maternal ancestry, highlighting the complexity and reach of historical immigration patterns across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
And it’s not just celebrity ties.
Pope Leo’s lineage includes:
French-Canadian noblemen
Freedom fighters
Black and white slaveowners
Formerly enslaved individuals
Immigrant laborers and tradesmen
In many ways, his family tree is a microcosm of global history, telling the story of conflict, survival, progress, and reconciliation.
What This Means for People Curious About Their Own Roots
The Pope’s incredible family history has inspired more than a few people to dust off old photo albums and start exploring their own genealogy. With resources like Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, and even DNA testing kits, it’s never been easier to uncover where you come from — and who you might be connected to.
In fact, shows like Finding Your Roots and Who Do You Think You Are? have sparked a renewed interest in family tree research for seniors, especially among older adults who now have the time, interest, and tools to dive into their personal heritage.
And just think: if the Pope can be related to a pop star, who might you be related to?
A Pope for the Modern Age
While the world buzzes over his family connections, Pope Leo XIV continues to make headlines for more than just his genealogy.
In his first Sunday blessing on May 11, he addressed thousands from the Vatican balcony, declaring:
“Never again war.”
His message called for:
Peace in Ukraine
A ceasefire in Gaza
Renewed diplomacy between India and Pakistan
He’s also taken strong stances on humanitarian issues, including a sharp critique of past U.S. policies under former President Donald Trump.
In 2018, Pope Leo (then Cardinal Prevost) reshared a powerful post from Cardinal Blase Cupich, condemning the U.S. administration’s policy of separating children from their parents at the border:
“There is nothing remotely Christian, American, or morally defensible about a policy that takes children away from their parents and warehouses them in cages.”
As Pope, he continues to speak boldly — not just as a religious leader, but as a global moral voice advocating for compassion, justice, and unity.
We’re More Connected Than We Think
For many older adults who’ve lived through multiple papacies, wars, cultural shifts, and political eras, the idea of a Pope being related to Madonna might sound silly at first — even absurd.
But look a little deeper, and this story becomes something more profound.
It reminds us that no matter where we come from — whether a parish in Chicago, a stage in Hollywood, or a small village in 16th-century France — we are all connected.
And perhaps that’s what makes this story so heartwarming: It’s not just about fame or coincidence. It’s about the way history weaves our lives together across centuries and continents.
So next time you’re browsing through old family photos, ask yourself: What stories are hiding in your roots?
Because as Pope Leo XIV just proved — you might have a pop icon (or a poet or a president) in the branches of your tree.
