Who is Mildred Martínez, the mother with Spanish origin of the new Pope Leo XIV
The new Pope, Leo XIV, until yesterday, Robert Francis Prevost, was born in 1955 in the American city of Chicago, within a Catholic family with multicultural rootsHis father Louis Marius Prevost was the son of French immigrants, while his mother, Mildred Agns Martínez was of Spanish and also Creola origin.
Mildred was a woman whose life and faith modeled the spiritual path of her son in the Vatican. According to the CBS News portal He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 30 December 1911Where he was baptized, his parents Joseph Martínez and Louise Zaquié moved to Chicago at the beginning of the 20th century from New Orleans And they are described as Neri or Mulattos in various historical records, they lived in the seventh district of the city, a traditionally Catholic area and a melting pot of people with African, Caribbean and European roots, underlines the New York Times.
Demonstrating an advanced spirit in his time, Mildred He attended superior studies at the librarian at Depoul University, Graduating in 1947. Subsequently, he obtained a master’s degree in education, which allowed him to perform as a library in various educational and parish institutions in Chicago. His commitment to the community was also reflected in his active participation in the local church, where he sang in the choir and presided over the secular companies.
Made his home a meeting place
The house of the Premost-Martínez was a center of spirituality and hospitality. Mildred, affectionately known as “Millie”, was an excellent cook and His home became a meeting place for priests and members of the religious community. These meetings not only strengthened the ties of the community, but also aroused a religious vocation from an early age.
Roots also Creole
The Genealogist of New Orleans, Jari C. Honora, revealed the Pope’s family history deeper, confirmed by Athe New York Times from Pope’s older brother, John Prevost71, resident in Chicago. “This discovery is just a reminder of how much we have not intertwined that we are like Americans,” Honora said in a text message on Thursday evening. “I hope Highlights the long history of black Catholics, Both free and reduced to slavery, in this country, which includes the family of the Holy Father. “
The birth certificate mentions Joseph Martínez and “Louis Biejex” as Mildred’s parents. Him Father’s birthplace appears in the Dominican Republic; That of the mother, in New Orleans. Honora also says he has found record of the 1900 census that indicate it Martínez was “black”His place of birth as “Haytí” and his occupation as “Tabaquero”.
The exact birth of Joseph Martínez is not entirely clear, Honora also found a census record of 1870 indicating that Pope’s maternal grandfather was born in Louisiana. However, he stressed that it was not uncommon for people to change their answers in official records. Creoli, also known as “Creole color”They have an almost old story like that of Louisiana. While the word Creolo can refer to people of European origin born in America, it commonly describes the mixed people, recalls the newspaper.
