Pope Leo XIV's Other Racial Legacy
Much has been said about Pope Leo XIV's heritage, but he has another racial legacy that's much more important to marginalized communities than he may realize.
Long before Pope Leo, history records the influential leadership of several early African popes who played crucial roles in uniting the Christian community and uplifting marginalized voices. Though they lived in a time when the Church was still forming its global identity, these Black popes helped lay the foundation for unity, courage, and moral clarity across continents.
Pope Victor I (reigned c. 189–199 AD), widely recognized as the first African—and the first Black—pope, was born in Roman North Africa. His most pivotal contribution was his effort to unify the Christian world around the celebration of Easter. At the time, Christian communities across regions disagreed about the date of Easter, threatening to divide the Church. Victor insisted on a single, unified observance, arguing that shared practice could foster shared purpose. Though his insistence sparked controversy, it also marked one of the first global efforts at Church-wide cohesion. He gave voice to a growing faith and demanded recognition for marginalized Christian communities who sought unity over division.
Pope Miltiades (reigned 311–314 AD), another African-born pope, served during a pivotal moment when Christianity was transitioning from persecution to imperial favor. He was pope when Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, granting Christians the freedom to practice openly. Miltiades helped the Church move from the shadows to the center of public life. But he didn’t just accept imperial favor—he worked to protect the dignity and voice of those who had suffered under persecution. His leadership underscored the need to stay rooted in faith and justice, even in newfound power.
Pope Gelasius I (reigned 492–496 AD), also of African descent, was a towering intellectual and theological figure. He was one of the earliest to articulate a clear vision of the balance between Church and state, famously asserting the independence of spiritual authority from political power. In a time when secular rulers often sought to dominate the Church, Gelasius spoke boldly for the dignity of spiritual leadership. His writings influenced generations of thinkers and helped preserve the Church’s moral voice in a tumultuous world.
These early African popes didn’t just serve—they shaped the Church. They unified communities, spoke out for justice, and uplifted the faithful during times of uncertainty. Their legacies remind us that leadership rooted in courage and compassion can echo across centuries.
