Madonna and the Pope Are Distant Cousins? Fans Call for a Holy Collab!

‘Pope don’t preach’: DYK the Pope and Madonna are related? Fans demand a collab

The internet is buzzing with surprise and humor over a quirky revelation: the newly elected Pope Leo XIV and pop icon Madonna are distant cousins. Fans are now jokingly demanding a collaboration with cheeky titles like “Like a Prayer ft. Pope Leo XIV.” Let’s dive into this unexpected family twist and why it has everyone talking!

👑 Who is this new Pope—and how is he connected to Madonna?

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, made history in May 2025 as the first American-born pontiff . Born in Chicago in 1955, he has roots that span far beyond the Vatican—genealogical records tracing back to France, Italy, Spain, and the Caribbean .

The genealogical investigation, led by historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. and expert teams, traced his lineage back to a 16th-century ancestor: Louis Boucher de Grandpré, from Trois-Rivières, Quebec .

Through this Canadian link, Pope Leo XIV is reportedly ninth cousin, various times removed with celebrities like Madonna, Justin Bieber, Angelina Jolie, and Justin Trudeau .

Madonna’s storied past with the Catholic Church

Madonna’s relationship with the Catholic Church has long been, well... complicated. Remember her 1989 video “Like a Prayer”? The Vatican decried it, calling it blasphemous. Pope John Paul II even urged fans to boycott her “Blond Ambition” tour . Pepsi dropped its sponsorship after the uproar—decades later, the ad was finally released in a nod to her artistic persistence .

In 2022, Madonna even tweeted directly at Pope Francis, claiming she had been “excommunicated 3 times,” and requested a meeting to “discuss some important matters” .

Now that she shares bloodlines with the reigning Pope, those playful requests have new resonance—could this be the Vatican’s most unexpected reconciliation?

Social media’s reaction: “Papa don’t preach”

The internet had a field day reacting to this revelation:

• “Papa don't preach but her distant relative does.”

• “Like a Prayer ft Pope Leo XIV when?”

• “Nepopetism” – a cheeky take on nepotism in high places .

Fans are joking about a Vatican-hosted Madonna concert and viral threads imploring for a “reconciliation appointment or exorcism?” .

🎶 A family tree full of celebs—and not just Madonna

Pope Leo XIV’s extended family includes:

• Justin Bieber – also a distant cousin, now connected across faith and fame.

• Angelina Jolie, Hillary Clinton, Justin Trudeau, and even author Jack Kerouac.

• His ancestry includes ties to European nobility, Caribbean settlers, African‑American heritage (including ancestors who were enslaved or of mixed race), and freedom fighters—making his DNA tapestry a mirror of global history.

What this means—and what it doesn’t

• It doesn’t change church doctrine: the Pope’s faith and policies aren’t shaped by distant cousins in pop stardom.

• It’s a reminder of interconnectedness: genealogies often reveal fascinating overlaps between global figures.

• It opens the door for fun—both in art and conversation. Imagine a Madonna performance at the Vatican, or an interfaith pop‑prayer hybrid! 

Could this spark a “Like a Prayer ft. Pope Leo XIV”?

Fans are half-serious, half-joking about a possible Vatican‑hosted collaboration. 🤣 While it’s unlikely the Pope will rap Madonna's verses anytime soon, the imagery is undeniably hilarious and share‑worthy.

At the very least, it’s a story that highlights a shared heritage—one that bridges pop culture and solemn tradition. It’s a laughing reminder that, in a distant sense, Madonna and the Pope are family. Weird, wonderful, and worthy of a music video cameo—maybe even in St. Peter’s Square.

Bottom line

1. Their history is wildly ironic—Madonna once faced Vatican backlash; now they share bloodlines.

2. Fans demand a collab—and with a bit of humor, the internet thinks it’s high time.

So yes—the Pope and Madonna are related, and fans would love a “Like a Prayer” remix featuring a papal cameo. Whether in jest or heartfelt curiosity, this surprising connection is stirring conversations—and maybe, just maybe, a future cultural mash‑up.