House Resolution No. [insert number] commends Pope Leo XIV, who was elected as the two hundred sixty-seventh leader of the Roman Catholic Church on May 8, 2025. Born Robert Francis Prevost, he is notable for being the first pope from the United States and the second from the Americas. Prior to his papacy, he served as a missionary in Peru and held various positions within the Church, including president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. The resolution highlights his connections to the Seventh Ward of New Orleans through his maternal lineage, emphasizing his Creole heritage.

Additionally, the resolution expresses support for the canonization of Venerable Henriette DeLille, a Creole woman from the Seventh Ward who founded the Sisters of the Holy Family and dedicated her life to serving the community, particularly in educating enslaved individuals and caring for the poor. The House of Representatives recognizes her potential canonization as a significant acknowledgment of the contributions of black Catholic leadership in the United States.