Latest news with #LikeaPrayer
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
‘Pope don't preach': DYK the Pope and Madonna are related? Fans demand a collab
It's not a practical joke or another crevice of the internet which seems to have found itself a bout of meme virality. It's as factual as it gets. Pope Leo XIV, who commenced his papacy on May 8 this year, is in fact a distant relative of none other than THE pop icon across ages, Madonna. How? As per a tracing project orchestrated by The New York Times, the Pope's lineage reveals him having had relatives in Italy, Spain and France, some of whom later relocated to Quebec in the 1650s. Louis Boucher de Grandpre in this regard, was one of his distant Canadian relatives. The Madonna connection seems to have revealed itself from this link. The puns and throwback references were endless of course: "Like a Prayer!", "Pope and Pop artist", "Reconciliation appointment or exorcism?? 😂", "papa does indeed preach", "they look like twins!", "Pope dont preach" and "Madonna - Like a Prayer ft Leo XIV" to quote a few. But things don't just stop here with the superstar Pope. Pope Leo, also happens to be related to Justin Bieber — and Angelina Jolie, and Hillary Clinton and Justin Trudeau! And these revelations are all a result of the Pope's lineage being traced. But coming back to the Pope and Madonna being related, the OG Material Girl actually has some significant history when it comes to the Pope. About three years back, she had publicly asked Pope Leo's predecessor, Pope Francis, to meet with her in lieu of discussing the three excommunications she had received from the Church. Her 'plea', shared in May 2022, read, "Hello @Pontifex Francis —I'm a good Catholic. I Swear!. I mean I don't Swear! Its been a few decades since my last confession. Would it be possible to meet up one day to discuss some important matters ? I've been ex communicated 3 times. It doesn't seem fair. Sincerely Madonna". Well, Pope Leo may just end up delivering Madonna from evil, given their kinship!
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
The Pope and the ‘Like a Prayer' star share a common ancestor born six generations ago
Pope Leo XIV is related to the pop singer Madonna, according to research that reveals the first United States Pontiff has family ties to a string of famous names. The Pope and the Like a Prayer star share a common ancestor who was born about six generations ago, making the
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Madonna's hilarious reaction to finding out she's related to the Pope
Madonna has responded to the news that she is related to Pope Leo XIV, who was elected as the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church in May, with a typically tongue-in-cheek response It seems that Madonna's hit 'Like a Prayer' has gained an unexpected layer of significance. The Queen of Pop has been linked to none other than Pope Leo XIV, according to a fascinating interactive piece in The New York Times by Henry Louis Gates Jr. , who worked with American Ancestors and the Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami. The article, which builds on the work of New Orleans genealogist Jari C. Honora, reveals that the Pope has Black ancestors and highlights his Creole heritage – a discovery first made by Jari. Madonna is among several celebrities found to share ancestry with the Pope through a Canadian forebear, Louis Boucher de Grandpre from Trois-Rivieres, Quebec. This ancestral tie places the Pope in a family tree with a host of "Canadian-derived distant cousins," including not just Madonna but also Angelina Jolie, Hillary Clinton, Justin Bieber, Jack Kerouac, and both Pierre and Justin Trudeau. Upon discovering her familial ties to the pontiff, Madonna couldn't hide her excitement. On Monday, June 16, she took to social media, sharing a screenshot of the revelation on X/ Twitter and then posting a black-and-white snap of herself with her dad, Silvio Ciccone, on Instagram Stories, as reported by Mirror US, reports the Express. In the shared photo, captioned "Silvio, We're related to the Pope! Strike a pose!", we see Silvio sitting comfortably while Madonna strikes a dramatic pose with hands aloft. It's worth noting that Madonna's relationship with Catholicism has always been a theme in her life and career, long before this newfound connection to Pope Leo came to light. Raised in the Catholic faith, she chose Veronica as her confirmation name and has since developed her "spiritual practices." Throughout her life, she has explored various religious paths including Kabbalah, Judaism, and Sufism, yet Catholicism has consistently influenced her, notably in her music career with its symbols. She is recognised for bringing the cross into vogue as a fashion statement within pop culture. The 66 year old icon has often been at the centre of controversy, facing allegations of blasphemy and sacrilege due to her provocative use of Catholic imagery. Her controversial 1989 hit 'Like A Prayer', with its burning crosses and sensual portrayal of Jesus, provoked outrage from the Vatican. Pope John Paul II even called for a boycott of her Blond Ambition tour. In 2023, Madonna once again stirred debate with her Vanity Fair cover shoot, where she depicted the Virgin Mary and included other religious motifs such as the 12 apostles. Reflecting on the backlash to 'Like a Prayer' and the subsequent calls for a boycott, she shared her astonishment at being targeted by the Church, remarking that they did not grasp the positive intentions behind her artistry, saying, "shocked to see myself being attacked by the Church, because they weren't able to understand how much my work was trying to produce something good." In a surprising turn of events, American cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been chosen as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, following a conclave on 8 May. Now known as Pope Leo, the 69 year old cardinal is the first American to hold the esteemed position. Pope Leo succeeds Pope Francis, who sadly passed away on 21 April at the age of 88 due to complications from a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and heart failure. Born on 14 September 1955, in Chicago, Pope Leo grew up in the South Suburban town of Dolton with his two brothers, Louis and John. His parents, Louis Marius Prevost and Mildred Martinez, were a school superintendent and a librarian involved in parish life, respectively. Interestingly, Pope Leo's heritage is a mix of French, Italian, and Spanish, with his father being of French and Italian descent, while his mother was of Spanish ancestry. According to his brother, the family also discovered Creole roots on their father's side, but it was never a topic of discussion among the siblings. It remains to be seen whether Pope Leo will respond to Madonna's 2015 tweet, in which she reached out to Pope Francis, stating, "I'm a good Catholic. I swear! I mean I don't Swear! Its been a few decades since my last confession. Would it be possible to meet up one day to discuss some important matters?"I've been excommunicated three times. It doesn't seem fair. Sincerely, Madonna. "".
Economic Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
How is Pope Leo XIV related to Madonna, Justin Bieber, and Angelina Jolie? The surprising truth hidden in his family tree
Agencies In a surprising twist, newly elected Pope Leo XIV is reportedly a distant cousin of pop culture icons Madonna and Justin Bieber, among others. A deep genealogical study traced his ancestry back to the 1500s, uncovering a global heritage that spans continents and races. When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost took the name Pope Leo XIV on May 8, becoming the first American to ascend to the papacy, the world expected headlines. But no one saw this coming: the 267th pontiff has a family tree that links him to some of the most famous names in pop culture—including Madonna, Justin Bieber, and Angelina Jolie. Yes, you read that right. The leader of the Catholic Church is distantly related to the Queen of Pop herself. Following Pope Leo's historic appointment, an extensive genealogical study by The New York Times , in collaboration with American Ancestors and the Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami, unearthed a fascinating heritage. Digging as far back as the early 1500s, the investigation traced Pope Leo's ancestry to a Canadian ancestor, Louis Boucher de Grandpré, born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. Through this line, the Pope shares distant familial ties with several celebrities and global leaders. According to the report, Pope Leo XIV is a 'ninth cousin, various times removed' to both Madonna and Justin Bieber—an uncanny twist, especially considering the Vatican's past public clash with Madonna over her controversial 1989 video Like a Prayer . As the news went viral, social media was quick to respond with a mix of disbelief and giddy amusement. One user on X (formerly Twitter) exclaimed, 'Wait, Pope Leo XIV is actually a distant relative of Madonna?! That's such a wild and iconic connection. Like, royalty meets pop royalty? I'm obsessed with this tea.' But the surprises didn't stop with pop stars. Pope Leo XIV's sprawling lineage includes U.S. politician Hillary Clinton, Canadian Prime Ministers Pierre and Justin Trudeau, literary icon Jack Kerouac, and actor Angelina Jolie. As The Times reports, his ancestry spans continents—40 ancestors born in France, 24 in Italy, 21 in Spain, 22 in the U.S., 10 in Cuba, 6 in Canada, and even 1 each from Haiti and Guadeloupe. Pope Leo also has African-American roots. His grandfather, Joseph Nerval Martínez, was born to African-American parents in Haiti before returning to New Orleans in 1866. His heritage includes enslaved people, slaveowners of both Black and white descent, freedom fighters, and noblemen—making his background as textured as it is global. — BuzzingPop (@BuzzingPop) Born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV has already made headlines beyond his DNA. In his first Sunday address on May 11, he delivered a strong anti-war message, calling for peace in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and urging India and Pakistan toward resolution. He has also been vocal in his criticisms of former U.S. President Donald Trump, once sharing a tweet condemning the policy of separating migrant children from their families. While it might seem like a strange juxtaposition—Madonna and the Pope sharing bloodlines—the discovery underscores the interconnectedness of human history. As genealogist Brenton Simons told The New York Times , 'The Pope's ancestry is a rich tapestry of global migration, cultural fusion, and resilience.' You Might Also Like: Pope Leo XIV named himself with AI in mind. Here's how
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How is Pope Leo XIV related to Madonna, Justin Bieber, and Angelina Jolie? The surprising truth hidden in his family tree
When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost took the name Pope Leo XIV on May 8, becoming the first American to ascend to the papacy, the world expected headlines. But no one saw this coming: the 267th pontiff has a family tree that links him to some of the most famous names in pop culture—including Madonna , Justin Bieber , and Angelina Jolie. Yes, you read that right. The leader of the Catholic Church is distantly related to the Queen of Pop herself. From Papal Robes to Pop Connections Following Pope Leo's historic appointment, an extensive genealogical study by The New York Times , in collaboration with American Ancestors and the Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami, unearthed a fascinating heritage. Digging as far back as the early 1500s, the investigation traced Pope Leo's ancestry to a Canadian ancestor, Louis Boucher de Grandpré, born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. Through this line, the Pope shares distant familial ties with several celebrities and global leaders. According to the report, Pope Leo XIV is a 'ninth cousin, various times removed' to both Madonna and Justin Bieber—an uncanny twist, especially considering the Vatican 's past public clash with Madonna over her controversial 1989 video Like a Prayer . As the news went viral, social media was quick to respond with a mix of disbelief and giddy amusement. One user on X (formerly Twitter) exclaimed, 'Wait, Pope Leo XIV is actually a distant relative of Madonna?! That's such a wild and iconic connection. Like, royalty meets pop royalty? I'm obsessed with this tea.' You Might Also Like: What US adults think about Pope Leo XIV, according to new AP-NORC poll A Family Tree as Global as the Church But the surprises didn't stop with pop stars. Pope Leo XIV's sprawling lineage includes U.S. politician Hillary Clinton , Canadian Prime Ministers Pierre and Justin Trudeau, literary icon Jack Kerouac, and actor Angelina Jolie. As The Times reports, his ancestry spans continents—40 ancestors born in France, 24 in Italy, 21 in Spain, 22 in the U.S., 10 in Cuba, 6 in Canada, and even 1 each from Haiti and Guadeloupe. Pope Leo also has African-American roots. His grandfather, Joseph Nerval Martínez, was born to African-American parents in Haiti before returning to New Orleans in 1866. His heritage includes enslaved people, slaveowners of both Black and white descent, freedom fighters, and noblemen—making his background as textured as it is global. — BuzzingPop (@BuzzingPop) From Chicago to the Vatican Born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV has already made headlines beyond his DNA. In his first Sunday address on May 11, he delivered a strong anti-war message, calling for peace in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and urging India and Pakistan toward resolution. He has also been vocal in his criticisms of former U.S. President Donald Trump, once sharing a tweet condemning the policy of separating migrant children from their families. While it might seem like a strange juxtaposition—Madonna and the Pope sharing bloodlines—the discovery underscores the interconnectedness of human history. As genealogist Brenton Simons told The New York Times , 'The Pope's ancestry is a rich tapestry of global migration, cultural fusion, and resilience.' You Might Also Like: Pope Leo XIV named himself with AI in mind. Here's how
