The previous two times a new pope was elected (2005, 2013), the Seahawks played in the Super Bowl the following season. pic.twitter.com/ue2UEDH4VH
— SleeperSeahawks (@SleeperSeahawks) May 8, 2025
The eyes of the world were on Rome as the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church was elected. Cardinal Robert Prevost is now Pope Leo XIV, and while he hails from Chicago, IL, there appears to be a unique connection between Vatican City and the Seattle Seahawks.
The last two papal conclaves took place in the years 2005 and 2013. To every 12th Man out there, those years are instantly recognizable: they are the years the Seahawks had their first two Super Bowl appearances in history. Which means the last two times a new pope has been elected, Seattle has made a run at the Super Bowl that year.
Could the Seahawks be going for a hat trick?
If I had a nickel for every time the Seahawks went to the Super Bowl in the same year a new pope was elected, I would have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice, right?
The Seahawks were literally a 5th tiebreaker away from winning the NFC West and returning to the postseason last year. Now they have completely revamped their offense, added to the secondary, and are headed into year two under Mike Macdonald. It’s a long ways out from Super Bowl LX, and there will be plenty of obstacles to get past, but this is the NFL and any team can win on any given Sunday.
Perhaps Seattle getting to the Super Bowl in 2025 will take a little bit of divine intervention. If that’s the case, then the Seahawks might have a great omen on their side.