The internet wasted no time pumping out the jokes and memes after Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the papal name Pope Leo XIV.
Google search traffic for “Da Pope” has skyrocketed since the announcement.
“Da Pope” shirts are already in the works, with Wrigleyville-based Obvious Shirts sharing an image of a Bears-themed design reminiscent of former Bears coach Mike Ditka’s iconic blue and orange sweater.
DAAAAAAAAAA POPE! #DaPope pic.twitter.com/oRrv00XZKh
— OBVIOUS SHIRTS® (@obvious_shirts) May 8, 2025
Chicago sports podcaster Ross Read shared an image of Leo XIV with the caption, “God bless everyone in the world, except Green Bay.”
“ God bless everyone in the world, except Green Bay.” pic.twitter.com/4sdYLtfdfj
— Ross Read (@RossRead) May 8, 2025
Barstool Sports podcast Pardon My Take shared a picture of the new pope donning a Chicago Bulls jersey with Michael Jordan’s No. 23, flying in for a dunk from the free throw line at the United Center.
The new pope Robert Prevost is from Chicago pic.twitter.com/SuwDClzKco
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) May 8, 2025
Sticking to the Bulls theme, social media users couldn’t help but create videos of the pope’s official entrance to the sound of “Sirius,” by the Allan Parsons Project, the music the Bulls have played for team introductions since Michael Jordan’s rookie year.
A new Pope from Chicago needs a true Chicago introduction… 🔊 pic.twitter.com/ZwtLzbv7hu
— Ben Heisler (@bennyheis) May 8, 2025
Author David Simon noted an interesting parallel between Leo XIV and the iconic 1980 film “The Blues Brothers.”
“The last fellas who came from Chicago, were given a rigorous education in Catholicism and then claimed to be on a mission from God? They destroyed a suburban shopping mall, wrecked about 300 police cars and ended up in Joliet penitentiary. Just saying,” he wrote.
The last fellas who came from Chicago, were given a rigorous education in Catholicism and then claimed to be on a mission from God? They destroyed a suburban shopping mall, wrecked about 300 police cars and ended up in Joliet penitentiary.
Just saying.
— David Simon (@audacityofdespair.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Many took to social media to suggest a looming change to Catholic communion, such as replacing communion wafers and wine with hot dogs and Malört, the wormwood-based spirit said to taste like gasoline, burnt rubber, and grapefruit.
One user on X even suggested Jeppson’s Malört should come up with Malört-flavored communion wafers.
If @JeppsonsMalort doesn’t come out with Malort flavored communion wafers then we’re truly living in the worst timeline.
— Tristan Chan (@TristanChan) May 8, 2025
Some even suggested the new pope would soon be serving up deep-dish Chicago pizza as the new communion wafer.
New Pope serving the body of Christ at mass pic.twitter.com/retLuaWp0o
— Asscela Express 🚅 (@biz_socks) May 8, 2025
Times of Northwest Indiana reporter Joseph Pete shared an image of a Chicago tavern-style pizza with the caption “Chicago pope to teach Italians how to slice pizza the proper way.”
Chicago pope to teach Italians how to slice pizza the proper way pic.twitter.com/Oh4SNGChPz
— Joseph S. Pete (@nwi_jsp) May 8, 2025
Plenty of social media denizens couldn’t help but joke about a Chicagoan being elected pope before the Bears had a quarterback who threw for 4,000 yards in a season.
Today’s “Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week” is the 5,000 quips about Chicago producing a Pope before a a 4K yard passer.
I don’t know who ripped off who first, but that line is dominating the timeline. (CC: @bryancurtis).
— Jesse Simonton (@JesseReSimonton) May 8, 2025
Chicago-based fast food chain Portillos jokingly tweeted, “more like Popetillos, amirite?” after asking, “How quickly can we ship Italian beef to Vatican City?”
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