Pope Leo XIV’s ancestry connects him to a surprising list of celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Justin Bieber, and Madonna, making the Angelina Jolie and Pope Leo XIV celebrity family connection a headline-worthy revelation. The newly elected pontiff, Robert Francis Prevost, has become not only the first North American leader of the Catholic Church but also a spotlight in pop culture discussions, thanks to research by Henry Louis Gates Jr. on his famous family ties.
Uncovering Hollywood Relatives in the Vatican
The announcement that Pope Leo XIV is distantly related to stars such as Angelina Jolie, Justin Bieber, and Madonna emerged after Henry Louis Gates Jr., host of “Finding Your Roots,” traced a maternal ancestor of the new pope to the 1590s. This investigation revealed ninth cousin connections, sometimes removed, to not only entertainers but also high-profile figures including Hillary Clinton, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his father Pierre Trudeau, as well as prominent writer Jack Kerouac.
Pope Leo’s lineage reflects a vibrant mosaic of international ancestry. According to Gates’ findings, his family tree includes roots in France, Italy, Spain, Cuba, Canada, Haiti, and Guadeloupe. This diverse heritage mirrors the centuries of immigration integral to America’s identity and highlights the church’s growing global reach.
A North American Pontiff with a Bridge-Building Vision
Pope Leo XIV’s rise marks a historic moment as the first North American to be chosen as the leader of the Catholic Church. At his first address from St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on May 8, he devoted his words to themes of unity and openness.
“We can be a missionary church, a church that builds bridges, that is always open to receive everyone,”
—Pope Leo XIV, Pontiff. In front of thousands, he continued,
“Just like in this square, to welcome everyone, in charity, dialogue and love.”
—Pope Leo XIV, Pontiff.
Reflecting on his predecessor’s legacy, Pope Leo XIV drew inspiration from the late Pope Francis’ final blessing.
“Allow me to continue that same blessing: God loves everyone; evil will not prevail. We are all in the hands of God. So, without fear, united hand and hand with God and among ourselves, we go forward.”
—Pope Leo XIV, Pontiff. This emphasis on togetherness and optimism underscores the approach he is expected to bring to the papacy.
The Symbolism Behind the Name “Leo”
The pope’s choice of the name “Leo” draws from the reputation of Pope Leo XIII, leader of the church from 1878 to 1903. Leo XIII was known for bridging tradition and modernism and was often called the “Social Pope” as well as the “Pope of the Workers.” Peruvian Deacon Cledier Pérez Mejía, who has worked closely with the new pope, reflected on this choice, saying,
“I believe the name he chose is also meaningful: Leo XIII was the pope who mediated between modernity and the ancient régime. By choosing this name, he has sent a clear signal about what his role will be in such difficult times as these.”
—Cledier Pérez Mejía, Deacon.
Personal Insight from Family and Friends
Those close to Pope Leo XIV expect his approach to echo the leadership style of Pope Francis.
“The best way I could describe him right now is that he will be following in Francis’ footsteps,”
—John Prevost, Brother. Highlighting the close relationship between the two church leaders, John added,
“They were very good friends. They knew each other before he was pope, before my brother even was bishop.”
—John Prevost, Brother.
John Prevost further suggested that while Pope Leo XIV may avoid dramatic shifts, he will be actively engaged in his role:
“I don’t think we’ll see extremes either way. How far he’ll go with it is only one’s guess, but he won’t just sit back. I don’t think he’ll be the silent one.”
—John Prevost, Brother.
Other Celebrities with Unexpected Family Ties
Pope Leo XIV’s international family connections are not unique in the celebrity world. Numerous public figures have discovered surprising relations within the entertainment industry and beyond. Below are several standout examples of notable family relationships among stars, tracing bonds as siblings, cousins, and even more distant relatives.
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Lena Dunham & Larry David
Henry Louis Gates Jr. disclosed on an April episode of “Finding Your Roots” that Lena Dunham shares a distant ancestor with Larry David on her mother’s side. -
Stassi Schroeder & Gypsy Rose Blanchard
Genealogist Dr. Adina Newman identified a connection between the reality TV personality and Gypsy Rose Blanchard through their paternal grandmother’s line, dating back to the 1600s. Schroeder responded to the news on social media, stating, Omg I’m unwell. -
Dakota Johnson & Antonio Banderas
Antonio Banderas, who was married to Dakota Johnson’s mother Melanie Griffith, remains emotionally close to Johnson, who publicly called Banderas a significant influence and described him as a “bonus dad.” “I come from a family of many a marriage and I got very lucky,” —Dakota Johnson, Actress. “I got a bonus dad who I realized that, over time, is actually one of the most influential people in my whole life,” —Dakota Johnson, Actress. “When I was six years old, my mother married a man who brought an unbelievably bright light and a whole new world of creativity and culture—and one remarkably magical little sister into our family.” —Dakota Johnson, Actress. -
Robyn Lively & Blake Lively
The Teen Witch actress and Gossip Girl star are half-sisters, sharing their mother, talent manager Elaine Lively. -
Elle King & Rob Schneider
Singer Elle King is the daughter of comedian and SNL veteran Rob Schneider, from his relationship with model London King. -
Ludacris & Monica
Ludacris and R&B singer Monica are cousins through Monica’s stepfather, Reverend Edward Best, Ludacris’ uncle. -
Conan O’Brien & Denis Leary
The talk show host and comedian Denis Leary are actually third cousins. -
Steven Spielberg & Jessica Capshaw
Award-winning director Steven Spielberg married actress Kate Capshaw in 1991, becoming the stepfather of Grey’s Anatomy’s Jessica Capshaw. -
Yara Shahidi & Nas
Yara Shahidi, known for her role in Grown-ish, calls rapper Nas her second cousin and served as his flower girl at his wedding to Kelis in 2005. -
Lea Thompson & Zoey Deutch
Zoey Deutch, an accomplished actress, is the daughter of Back to the Future’s Lea Thompson. -
Kiefer Sutherland & Sarah Sutherland
Sarah Sutherland, known for her role on Veep, is the daughter of 24 star Kiefer Sutherland. -
Phil Collins & Lily Collins
Lily Collins, star of Emily in Paris, is the daughter of Grammy-winning musician Phil Collins. -
Amy Schumer & Chuck Schumer
Comedian Amy Schumer is related to New York Senator Chuck Schumer, who is her father’s first cousin. -
Kate Middleton, Dakota Fanning & Elle Fanning
A 2014 genealogical study cited by People magazine revealed that the Fanning sisters and the Princess of Wales all descend from King Edward III, making them 21st cousins. -
Jonah Hill & Beanie Feldstein
The Moneyball star and Booksmart actress are actual siblings. -
Niecy Nash, Danielle Brooks & Sterling K. Brown
These “Reno 911!,” “Orange Is the New Black,” and “This Is Us” stars are all related as cousins. We are blood related! REAL cousins! —Niecy Nash, Actress. -
Jason Sudeikis & George Wendt
Jason Sudeikis, formerly of SNL, is the nephew of Cheers star George Wendt. -
Stephen Dillane & Frank Dillane
Stephen Dillane of Game of Thrones is the real-life father of Fear the Walking Dead’s Frank Dillane. -
Lily Allen & Sam Smith
The singer Lily Allen and “Stay With Me” artist Sam Smith are third cousins, though they have never met due to a large family network. -
Liev Schreiber & Pablo Schreiber
Actors Liev and Pablo Schreiber are half-brothers, both recognized for their roles in acclaimed dramas. -
Melissa McCarthy & Jenny McCarthy
Comedian and actress Melissa McCarthy shares cousin status with television personality Jenny McCarthy. -
Julia Roberts & Emma Roberts
Emma Roberts has cited her aunt Julia Roberts as a mentor and family role model. -
Lacey Schwimmer & David Schwimmer
Dancing With the Stars professional Lacey Schwimmer is the second cousin of Friends actor David Schwimmer. -
Alexander Skarsgård & Stellan Skarsgård
True Blood’s Alexander Skarsgård is the son of actor Stellan Skarsgård, known for his work in the Marvel universe. -
Sofia Coppola, Jason Schwartzman, Nicolas Cage & Francis Ford Coppola
This storied Hollywood family features Academy Award-winning director Francis Ford Coppola, his children and grandchildren, including filmmakers and actors Sofia Coppola, Jason Schwartzman, and Nicolas Cage. -
Lily Allen & Alfie Allen
Singer Lily Allen is the older sister of Alfie Allen, who played Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones. She even wrote a song named after him. -
Brooke Shields & Glenn Close
Brooke Shields and Glenn Close are connected as second cousins, tying together two acclaimed acting lineages. -
Shirley MacLaine & Warren Beatty
Shirley MacLaine inspired her younger brother, Warren Beatty, to enter the world of film. -
Rashida Jones & Quincy Jones
The Parks and Recreation actress is the daughter of renowned music producer Quincy Jones. -
Tom Cruise & William Mapother
William Mapother, known for his role on Lost, is a cousin of Mission: Impossible star Tom Cruise.
A Reflection on Family Connections and Cultural Legacy
The discovery of the Angelina Jolie and Pope Leo XIV celebrity family connection demonstrates how historic bloodlines can stretch across centuries, linking religious leaders, artists, politicians, and notable public figures. Pope Leo XIV’s ancestry, which weaves together threads from France, Italy, the Caribbean, and North America, mirrors the complexities of identity and belonging that have shaped American stories and, now, the contemporary Catholic Church. As genealogical research increasingly brings hidden relationships to public attention, it continues to blur boundaries between world events, faith, and popular culture, making the impact of these intersections ever more visible in global discussions.
