The new pope is kin to Madonna — at least, according to Madonna and The New York Times.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is not only the first American pope but—according to The New York Times—also distantly related to Madonna. The Bishop of Rome and the Queen of Pop are, to be exact, ninth cousins.
The New York Times report revealed that Pope Leo’s vast and multicultural family tree connects him to a surprising number of prominent figures through a shared French Canadian ancestor, Louis Boucher de Grandpré. That makes him a distant cousin of pop singer Madonna, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, actress Angelina Jolie, and even pop star Justin Bieber.
In response to the revelation, Madonna posted onto an Instagram story: “Silvio! We’re related to the Pope! Strike a Pose!” — a reference to her iconic song Vogue — alongside photos of her 94-year-old father.
One image featured a screenshot of a tweet that announced the newfound kinship.
The relationship between Madonna and the Catholic Church has long been strained.
Madonna, who was raised Catholic, has often provoked religious outrage through her music and performances. In 2016, she claimed during Carpool Karaoke that she had been excommunicated three times, though no formal excommunication has ever been issued. Nevertheless, Catholic leaders, including bishops in New Zealand and Singapore, have condemned her shows as “highly offensive” and incompatible with Christian faith. Cardinal Ersilio Tonini once said, with Pope Benedict XVI’s approval, that “she should be excommunicated.”
Now, the Church has a new head — and he shares her bloodline.
But Madonna isn’t the only famous name in the pontiff’s extended family. According to The New York Times, Pope Leo XIV is also distantly related to Hillary Clinton through shared Canadian ancestry. That detail, buried deep in a 2,500-word genealogical breakdown, adds another layer of intrigue to the pope’s already remarkable biography.
Pope Leo’s roots span continents, including African American ancestors in New Orleans, enslavers and freedom fighters alike, and noblemen from 16th-century Spain. One ancestor, Antonio José de Sucre, helped liberate Latin America from Spanish colonial rule. Another, Charles Louis Boucher de Grandpré, commanded the Louisiana militia at Pointe Coupée in 1777, capturing British posts. His diverse ancestry — including Italian, Cuban, French, and African American heritage — has prompted author to say, “[Leo’s] diverse ancestry reflects the history of American immigration.”
Continuing the six degrees of separation between the first American Pope and other celebs, Madonna’s Vogue pays homage to Grace Kelly in the spoken word portion. A movie star turned monarch, Kelly shares a lot in common with the new pontiff. The Dallas Express previously teased that Kelly and Leo have a number of unexpected commonalities.