Pope Leo XIV has addressed his ancestry in recent comments. The first American-born pope acknowledged a complicated family history, which has been the subject of discussion about race and identity. His family's past includes both enslaved individuals and slaveholders, according to the pope.

This admission comes after he had previously declined to publicly discuss his ancestry. Further details about the pope's comments are available from the source, including an interview with NBC News. The pope's statements provide insight into his family's history and its significance to his personal experience.