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Pope Leo XIV, the first Catholic pontiff from the United States, carries a lesser-known but powerful legacy—his maternal ancestry traces back to a prominent Creole family of color in Louisiana.
Genealogical research has revealed that Pope Leo’s great-great-grandmother, Celeste Lemelle, was a free woman of color from a wealthy Creole lineage. The Lemelle family built their fortune through cattle ranching in Opelousas, Louisiana, and played a significant role in the region’s complex racial and cultural history.
Genealogist Alex DaPaul Lee, a former Louisiana state archivist, confirmed these findings after an in-depth investigation sparked by a tip from fellow genealogist Jamarlon Glenn. “I didn’t believe it at first,” Lee said. “But the documents told a remarkable story.”
The research uncovered generations of Catholicism and a rich blend of heritage in the pope’s family. The Lemelle lineage included people classified in historical records as “quadroons”—individuals with one-quarter African or Native American ancestry. These classifications were common in the 18th and 19th centuries and reflected the racial dynamics of colonial Louisiana.
Pope Leo’s maternal line also showcases the ability of free women of color to own property and run businesses—an uncommon reality in many parts of the U.S. at the time. In 1833, Celeste Lemelle received income from a business, and in 1850, she was granted land in an irrevocable transaction to protect her ownership.
Notably, shifts in racial classification within the family are recorded in census data. Celeste’s son, Ferdinand David Baquie, was listed as “mulatto” in 1870 but as “white” by 1880—highlighting how racial identity could shift over generations, especially during the migration north.
By the early 20th century, Pope Leo’s family had moved to Illinois, joining other Creole families seeking opportunity and a fresh start during the Great Migration.
“This story isn’t just about race,” Lee said. “It’s about heritage, survival, and how the diverse cultural identity of Louisiana has shaped a global religious leader.”
