Did Pope Leo XIV's family own slaves? Unique ancestral links to slavery revealed; ‘we were both’
Pope Leo XIV discussed his family's complex history regarding slavery during an interview following a performance at Castel Gandolfo. He noted that his maternal ancestors were both enslaved people and slave owners, highlighting a unique genealogical background.
Why it matters
The Pope's personal reflection on the history of slavery adds a human dimension to ongoing global discussions about ancestral accountability and historical trauma.
Pope Leo XIV was the guest of honor as Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli was joined by 164 child singers in a performance at the Pope's summer house, the Pontifical Gardens of Castel Gandolfo.The performance was part of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation’s “Voices Of” program. It brings children from various parts of the world affected by poverty or conflict for a workshop, which preceded the July 29 performance. This year, the children came from Jerusalem, Uganda, Italy, among others.Highlighting the initiative, Pope Leo spoke to NBC's Tom Llamas in an exclusive interview from Castel Gandolfo. In the interview, he talked about his immigration background and his family's link to slavery in the US.The 70-year-old stressed that his ancestors were "both slaves and slave owners" - a remarkably unique connection to the 19th-century phenomenon.
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