Outside St. Peter Claver, Veronique Dorsey, the drummer for the gospel choir, said she hopes knowing the pope is descended from Black New Orleanians could broaden the church's appeal.

Outside St. Peter Claver, Veronique Dorsey, the drummer for the gospel choir, said she hopes knowing the pope is descended from Black New Orleanians could broaden the church’s appeal.

Musicians perform during Mass at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, May 25, 2025, in New Orleans. (Photo by Rosemary Westwood) ...

Outside St. Peter Claver, Veronique Dorsey, the drummer for the gospel choir, said she hopes knowing the pope is descended from Black New Orleanians could broaden the church's appeal. "I hope it will ...

A member of the Treme Brass Band plays during a concert marking the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina Concert at the historically black St. Augustine Catholic Church in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Reverend Ajani K. Gibson, pastor of St. Peter Claver, a Catholic Church in the 7th Ward neighborhood where the grandparents of Pope Leo XIV lived, speaks with The Associated Press inside the ...

The Rev. Ajani Gibson, who heads the predominantly Black congregation at St. Peter Claver Church in New Orleans, said he sees the Pope’s roots as a reaffirmation of African American influence on ...

The Rev. Ajani Gibson, who heads the predominantly Black congregation at St. Peter Claver Church in New Orleans, said he sees the pope’s roots as a reaffirmation of African American influence on ...

The Rev. Ajani Gibson, who heads the predominantly Black congregation at St. Peter Claver Church in New Orleans, said he sees the pope’s roots as a reaffirmation of African American influence on ...