A surprising revelation has come to light for Madonna, as she recently found out she has a familial link to Pope Leo.
Since her career began in 1982, the Queen of Pop has had a tumultuous relationship with the Catholic Church.
Raised and confirmed as a Catholic, Madonna’s artistic endeavors have frequently clashed with the Church’s views.
Throughout her career, she has often incorporated religious symbols into her art, from donning crucifix jewelry with revealing outfits in the ’80s, to depicting religious scenes in her ‘Like a Prayer’ video, and even staging performances on a cross during her Confessions Tour.
One of her most controversial moments came during her 1990 Blonde Ambition Tour, which Pope John Paul II publicly opposed, denouncing it as “one of the most satanic shows in the history of humanity.” Similarly, her 2006 Confessions Tour drew criticism from Cardinal Ersilio Tonini, who labeled it a “blasphemous challenge to the faith and a profanation of the cross” (via The Guardian).
With the election of the current Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025, there’s hope that he might share a more sympathetic view, especially since he and Madonna are actually related.
This intriguing family link was uncovered in a collaborative interactive feature by The New York Times, American Ancestors, and the Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami.
The research traces Pope Leo XIV’s family history on both his paternal and maternal sides, revealing that he shares a common ancestor with Madonna—Louis Boucher de Grandpre, who was born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec.
Pope Leo XIV also shares distant Canadian-derived cousins with other notable figures like Angelina Jolie, Hillary Clinton, Justin Bieber, Jack Kerouac, Pierre, and former Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.
Such a family gathering would indeed be quite the spectacle.
In light of this newfound connection, Madonna posted a photograph with her father, Silvio Ciccone, referencing her famous song ‘Vogue’ in her caption.
“Silvio! We’re related to the Pope! Strike a pose!” she wrote under the black-and-white image.
Three years ago, Madonna made an attempt to reconcile with the Catholic Church by reaching out to Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 this year.
The ‘Confessions on a Dance Floor’ artist tweeted: “I’m a good Catholic. I swear! I mean I don’t Swear! It’s 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.”
Let’s hope the relationship between Madonna and Pope Leo flourishes.