From Holy See to Hollywood. A noted historian dug into Pope Leo XIV‘s family tree, discovering it includes a who’s who of A-list celebrities, political figures and even a famous novelist. Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Pope Leo XIV is a notable fan of the Chicago White Sox, a penance for sins if ever there was one. He has Creole roots through family members from New Orleans. He plays pandemic sensation turned New York Times tentpole Wordle daily. Historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. pointed out last week that he's related to many of America's most enduring exports.

Madonna and the new Pope are actually cousins. And “The Material Girl” isn’t the only celebrity who is related to Pope Leo XIV. According to professor and historian Henry Louis Gates Jr., who published in the New York Times, Madonna and Pope Leo are ninth cousins, various times removed.