It’s no secret that Madonna has not had an easy relationship with the Catholic Church; in the past, the two have not always seen eye to eye.
But now, in a twist of fate, it seems the Pontiff and she are related.
Keep reading to learn more.
Ever since Madonna came on the scene in 1982, she has been at odds with the Catholic Church.
While she was raised in the Catholic faith, she later came into conflict with the church over her artistic expression.
The singer is known for using religious iconography for her music and videos, which have in the past included wearing crucifix jewellery with a bra and mesh top, or kissing a saint in the video for her song, ‘Like a Prayer.’ She even performed while being strapped to a crucifix while on her Confessions Tour.
When she was on her Blonde Ambition tour, she was criticised by Pope John Paul II who called it ‘one of the most satanic shows in the history of humanity’, and her subsequent tour in 2006 titled Confessions was called, a “blasphemous challenge to the faith and a profanation of the cross’ by Cardinal Ersilio Tonini (according to The Guardian).”
Leo XIV, who was appointed on May 8 2025, is apparently related to the music superstar.
Their relationship to one another due to a The New York Times collaborating with American Ancestors and the Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami.
The research looked at the Pope’s genealogy from both his mother and father’s sides. It revealed that Madonna and Pope Leo XIV shared a Canadian ancestor, Louis Boucher de Grandpre, who was born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec.
Due to this, the Pope also has ‘Canadian-derived distant cousins’ including, Angelina Jolie, Hilary Clinton, Justin Bieber, Jack Kerouac, Pierre and former Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau
To celebrate the occasion, Madonna shared a picture of her with her father Silvio Ciccone. In the caption, she referenced her popular song ‘Vogue’ by writing, “Silvio! We’re related to the Pope! Strike a pose!”
Madonna had previously reached out to Pope Francis three years ago, to mend her relationship with the Catholic church.
The singer wrote in a post on Twitter (which has since then become X) “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.”
What do you think of this relationship that has been revealed between Madonna and the new Pope? Let us know in the comments and share with others who might not have known about this connection.
