Vatican Goes Viral: Tiktokers Fascinated By Pope Election

As nan world waited this week to spot who would beryllium elected nan adjacent pope, the awesome event besides took societal media by storm, pinch contented creators weighing successful pinch memes and comedic skits astir nan contented they dubbed nan "Catholic Superbowl."

The conclave — nan highly secretive ritual of selecting a caller pope — began connected Wednesday, pursuing Pope Francis' decease connected April 21. A group of 133 cardinals from nan College of Cardinals met astatine nan Vatican to ballot done concealed ballot, pinch a two-thirds mostly required to prime nan Catholic Church's adjacent leader.

On Thursday afternoon, achromatic fume was seen billowing from nan Sistine Chapel, signaling a caller pope had been elected. The conclave later announced that Cardinal Robert F. Prevost was chosen arsenic nan caller leader of nan Catholic Church — which has astir 1.4 cardinal members worldwide.

For immoderate members of Generation Z, it was nan first conclave they really remembered – nan past took spot successful 2013 – and they took a astonishing liking successful nan hallowed tradition.

WHITE SMOKE OVER SISTINE CHAPEL AS NEW POPE CHOSEN

Nuns respond to achromatic fume from nan chimney connected nan Sistine Chapel, indicating that a caller pope has been elected, astatine nan Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Marko Djurica/REUTERS)

Content creators connected TikTok and Instagram playfully covered nan intense proceedings this week arsenic if it were a sports contest, pinch celebrated accounts dubbing nan conclave nan "Catholic Superbowl" aliases nan "Pope Games." 

The conclave inspired memes, songs, reality tv show parodies, skits and comparisons to nan NFL draught that person reached millions of views connected societal media, Axios reported.

Even societal media users without immoderate belief beliefs weighed successful pinch their choices for nan adjacent pope. One video from an atheist TikToker wishing that Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle would look nan winner, has racked up over 4 cardinal views. 

Tagle was dubbed nan "Asian Pope Francis" and appeared to beryllium a favourite among wide TikTokers because of his approachable demeanor and progressive views, according to a columnist astatine National Catholic Reporter.

‘CONCLAVE’ DIRECTOR SAYS CONTROVERSIAL SCENES IN MOVIE ABOUT PAPAL ELECTIONS ‘NOT A TAKEDOWN OF THE CHURCH’

Ralph Fiennes starred successful nan 2024 Oscar-winning film, "Conclave," which has seen a surge of liking successful caller weeks aft nan decease of Pope Francis. (Alamy)

Social media users besides took inspiration from clips from nan 2024 Oscar-winning movie "Conclave," which knowledgeable a spike successful streaming since nan decease of Pope Francis successful April.

Politico reported that immoderate cardinals who person ne'er knowledgeable a conclave earlier looked to nan movie for guidance connected Vatican protocol and proceedings.

The White House also joined in nan online speculation complete nan caller pope past week, pinch President Donald Trump jokingly posting an AI-generated image of himself arsenic nan pope connected Truth Social. 

President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself arsenic nan pope connected Truth Social connected Friday, May 2, 2025. (@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social)

Prevost, nan first pope ever from North America, chose nan papal sanction Leo XIV.

Social media users were speedy to make jokes astir nan caller pontiff being an American. 

Some liberals hoped nan caller pontiff would stock their governmental leanings, including erstwhile Obama adjutant Jon Favreau, who shouted nan pope for his past posts criticizing nan Trump administration's migration policy.

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Fox News' Gabriele Regalbuto contributed to this article.