Pope Leo XIV has spoken openly about his family history for the first time, revealing that his lineage includes both people who were victims of slavery and ancestors involved in the slaveholding system.
While participating in the "Canticle of Peace" event, held this Wednesday at Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer residence near Rome, Leo XIV shared details from his family history in response to a question about his American heritage.
"I come from a family where my grandparents were immigrants. On my mother's side, we have people who were both slaves and slave owners," the Pope declared.
He also spoke about his family's historical ties to the transatlantic slave trade period, highlighting the complexity of his ancestors' history.
Speaking about the United States, his birthplace, Pope Leo XIV said he values "the sense of freedom and opportunity," as well as America's role as a country that has welcomed generations of immigrants from around the world.
The issue of immigration has been one of the main themes of his messages, as the Chicago-born Pope has criticized the treatment he has described as "inhumane" towards immigrants during the harsh policies of the administration of former US President Donald Trump.
The Pope's statements come after a study conducted by scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr., which found that Leo XIV's family origins include a mix of European and African-American ancestry. According to the study, his maternal grandparents, originally from New Orleans, are listed in historical documents as "black" and "mulatto."
The study also found that the Pope's family tree includes both people who were enslaved and individuals associated with slave ownership.
Earlier this year, Leo XIV became the first pope to publicly acknowledge and apologize for the Catholic Church's role in the history of slavery.
"It is impossible not to feel deep regret when you think about the incredible suffering and humiliation that so many people have experienced," he said.
