On May 12, 2025, co-host Sunny Hostin of ABC’s “The View” reversed her previous criticism of Pope Leo XIV upon discovering his Black and Haitian heritage. Initially expressing concern over the Pope’s traditional views on marriage and family, Hostin later celebrated his ancestry, stating, “We actually have a black pope! It’s like a chef’s kiss for me.”
Hostin’s initial apprehension stemmed from Pope Leo XIV’s 2012 remarks criticizing the “homosexual lifestyle” and non-traditional family structures. However, upon learning that his maternal grandparents were identified as people of color in historical records, with his grandfather born in Haiti, Hostin expressed newfound admiration.
Co-hosts Ana Navarro and Whoopi Goldberg also praised Pope Leo XIV, highlighting his support for press freedom and solidarity with imprisoned journalists. Navarro emphasized the significance of having an American pope who can denounce injustices, particularly those affecting immigrants in the United States.
Genealogical research confirms Pope Leo XIV’s diverse heritage. Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, his maternal grandparents, Joseph Martinez and Louise Baquié, were listed as Black in the 1900 U.S. Census and resided in New Orleans’ Seventh Ward before relocating to Chicago. His grandfather was born in Haiti, and his grandmother was a Creole from New Orleans.
Despite this heritage, Pope Leo XIV’s family did not publicly identify as people of color, and racial identity was not a topic of discussion within the family. Nevertheless, historians and religious figures view his election as a reflection of America’s diverse heritage and a symbol of broader representation within the Catholic Church.
