You're watching:
S08 E26 - From Bayou to Basilica: Pope Leo XIV Ancestry Uncovered
We are joined by esteemed genealogist Jari C. Honora for a powerful conversation that bridges local history and global significance. Honora takes us behind the scenes of one of the most compelling genealogical discoveries in recent memory: the ancestral journey of Pope Leo XIV.
With meticulous research and cultural insight, Jari traces the Pope’s lineage from the storied bayous of Louisiana—rich with Creole, African American, and French colonial legacies—all the way to the spiritual epicenter of Catholicism: the Vatican. Along the way, he uncovers a lineage shaped by survival, migration, and transformation, revealing how the roots of a modern pontiff are deeply intertwined with the histories of people too often left out of the broader narrative.
This episode is more than a genealogical case study—it’s a celebration of Black identity, historical recovery, and the unshakable connections between ancestry and destiny. Whether you’re a student of history, faith, or family research, this conversation will challenge what you thought you knew and inspire a deeper appreciation for the stories hidden in our bloodlines.
