The Catholic Church Made History — But Is the New Pope Really Black?
The Catholic Church made history this year. The new pope, Leo XIV, has Black Creole ancestry from New Orleans. Ain’t that a trip? The man sitting on the throne of St. Peter traces his roots back to free people of color from “that Seventh Ward” like the people say.
To be precise, Pope Leo XIV is the first Black pope of modern times. Yes, there were three African popes centuries ago. But in the last 1,500 years? Not one. Until now.
But here’s what really matters: Does he identify as Black? That’s the question—and it matters more than folks admit.
Identity Politics: I Used to Laugh at This Stuff
For years, I watched identity debates with a smirk. People argued about gender, race, and “lived experience.” I mostly chuckled—not because I’m cynical, but because some of it was downright funny.
Picture this: a 6’5″, 280-pound guy named Bubba, rocking a trucker hat and a smoker’s cough, suddenly declares, “I identify as a fairy princess.” Wings, wand, tutu—the whole package. How do you not chuckle? It’s the absurdity of the mismatch.
That’s how I viewed identity debates. Like theater. People trying on new labels like Halloween costumes.
But I always understood passe blanc—Black folks passing for white to survive. That was about safety. About economics. About not getting lynched. Very real.
This Pope, though, has forced me to rethink what identity really means. Because now, it’s not TikTok fodder. It’s front and center in the Vatican.
Why the Pope’s Identity Matters
The facts are clear. Pope Leo XIV’s ancestry traces back to Black Creoles in New Orleans. That’s history, not speculation.
But there’s a catch. He hasn’t stood up and said, “I am Black.”
In the Catholic Church, where the Pope is God’s representative on Earth, that silence speaks volumes. His identity is not just personal. It’s political. It’s global. And it’s theological. If Pope Leo embraces his Black heritage, it sends a powerful message to Black Catholics who’ve been sidelined for centuries. But if he avoids the subject, it risks erasing a truth that should be celebrated, not hidden.
Will Racist Catholics Obey a Black Pope?
Let’s not sugarcoat this. Racism is alive in every institution, including the Church. Some Catholics quietly flinch at the idea of a Black man leading them in faith.
So here’s the question: Will those Catholics bow their heads when Pope Leo XIV speaks? Will they obey his teachings with the same reverence? Or will they pretend his Blackness doesn’t exist, just to protect their prejudices?
This is more than a curiosity. It’s a reckoning.
The Catholic Church spent centuries sending white missionaries to “civilize” people of color. Now, a man descended from those same communities leads the Church. That’s not irony. That’s karma.
Representation Without Recognition Means Nothing
It’s easy to slap a headline on this and call it progress. But representation without recognition is meaningless.
A Black Pope who doesn’t claim his Blackness is a missed opportunity. A hollow victory. We’ve seen this game before—Black but has to tone it down. That can’t happen here.
For this to mean something, Pope Leo XIV has to name it. “I am Black.” Proudly. Publicly. Without qualifiers. Only then will this moment be historic, not performative.
The Church’s Future Depends on This Moment
The Catholic Church’s future is global, diverse, and overwhelmingly people of color. The leadership must reflect that truth—not just in appearance, but in identity.
Pope Leo XIV has a chance to inspire millions. To challenge the Church to live up to its universal message. But only if he owns his identity fully.
Final Thought: This Is Bigger Than One Man
So, is the Pope Black?
By blood, yes. By identity? Still unanswered.
But this isn’t just his choice. It’s a moment for the entire Church. To see who gets acknowledged. Who gets heard. Who gets to represent holiness.
History is watching. The Church is listening. And so are we.
Another great conversation starter Jeff. My wife and I were talking last night about how the MAGA-verse is upset about the new Pope’s selection. He’s already being labeled as “too woke”. Translation: “how dare they select a Pope who’s not of all-white descent.” Sadly, nothing is said about the recent atrocities discovered against indigenious and people of color in many diocese worldwide.
In a perfect world, it shouldn’t matter what race the Pope is, but the world isn’t perfect. A lot of what I’ve read, the Pope’s agenda does include reaching out and adressing the needs of underserved communities. From what I remember about our Lord, he was about “deeds”. Doing his Father’s work! My understanding too about religion is that God doesn’t see color. Too bad Man does!
For me, as a practicing Catholic, he doesn’t have to declare his Blackness, I just want to see him serve those who have been overlooked in the past. I have faith in Pope Leo XIV. I pray that he will be the strong spiritual leader this world is craving right now.
I’m wondering if the Pope even knew he was Black before New Orleaneans started looking into it. I love it that we discovered with an hour that he is Black. But given the silence about passing within families, I’m not at all sure that he even knew this. It will be interesting to see what he does with it as he takes it in and it becomes public.