The pope's Creole roots in New Orleans are a source of pride among the city's Black Catholics. But the revelation also recalls a painful chapter in the city's past. “In New Orleans, everyone treats visitors as family.

The world is still adjusting to the historic election of Pope Leo XIV—the first American Pope and a native of the Chicago area—but new revelations about his ancestry are drawing attention far beyond the Vatican.

When [Pope Leo] came to the balcony, I looked up, and I was like, ‘That dude looks like he could be my brother,” a New Orleans priest said.

Pope Leo XIV's family tree reflects America's complex racial history, according to records obtained by ABC News.

After the 1804 Haitian Revolution – the uprising against French colonizers that led to the creation of Haiti – the nation became the first in the world to permanently ban slavery. For this reason, many people of color viewed Haiti as a beacon of freedom and equality.

Today on Louisiana Considered, we hear about the new pope’s Creole heritage and family ties to New Orleans. We also learn about plans to build an LNG plant in Cameron Parish and check in with former Tulane President Scott Cowen,

Pope Leo XIV held his first public audience with members of the media, saying the church stood in solidarity with them for "seeking the truth."