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