Francis Xavier Leray (April 20, 1825 – September 23, 1887) was a French-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as bishop of the Diocese of Natchitoches in Louisiana (1877–1879) and as archbishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans (1883–1887).

[3] Following his arrival in the United States, Leray taught for several months at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, then entered St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, to complete his theological studies.

[4] He then served as pastor of the parish in Jackson, Mississippi, ministering to the sick and dying there during the yellow fever epidemics of 1853 and 1855.

[2] In 1857, he was named pastor of the parish in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he built the first Catholic church and in 1860 introduced the Sisters of Mercy to establish a school.

[2] Leray attended the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore in November 1884, and continued his efforts to relieve New Orleans of its immense debt for the rest of his tenure.