Spanish
SANTO DOMINGO. – The new leader of the Catholic Church, Leo XIV, is the grandson of a Dominican, according to civil registry documents from Chicago, Illinois, which confirm that the pontiff's maternal grandfather was born in Santo Domingo.
According to the birth certificate of Mildred Agnes Martínez, the Pope's mother, dated December 30, 1911 in Chicago, her father, Joseph N. Martínez, is listed as being from the Dominican Republic.
This data, until now little known, directly links the new Supreme Pontiff with the Caribbean country, and gives connotation to his countless visits to the Dominican Republic.
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Leo XIV, 69 years old and born in Chicago, becomes the first American pontiff in the history of the Church. His election took place this May 8, after the fourth vote of the conclave held in the Vatican, and was announced by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.
Prevost has a long pastoral career in Latin America, especially in Peru, where he served as bishop of Chiclayo for more than a decade. His experience and commitment to Latin American communities have been highlighted as key elements in his election.
In his first message as Supreme Pontiff, Leo XIV called for peace, inclusion, and justice, paying tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21st. The new Pope also emotionally greeted in Spanish his former Peruvian diocese, reflecting his closeness to the Spanish-speaking world.
