The election of Pope Leo XIV, who is the first U.S. pope and has Creole roots, is raising more awareness about the complexity of the Creole identity.

He had the good papal housekeeping seal of approval from Pope Francis, his predecessor, who put him in one of the top jobs in the Catholic Church. There, as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, he led the office that helped Francis choose bishops and, thus, determine the future of the church.

Prevost, who was promoted by Francis and has a knack for management and a zeal for missionary work, was a stronger candidate than many outside the Vatican knew.