20 Viral Memes About The Historical Election Of The World’s First American Pope

A monumental moment for the Vatican Church has been memefied online by a few hilarious netizens. The election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the first-ever American pope to head the Catholic Church has had the world agog as they watch history unfold. 

#1 Habemus baby!

Image source: hansmollman

In order to maintain secrecy with the election process, the tradition of burning ballot papers dates back to at least the 15th century.

When a chimney was installed in the Sistine Chapel in the 18th century, the smoke that billowed out from the burning of ballot papers was not intended to be a public signal. But onlookers eventually began interpreting it as an outcome of the selection process.

With time, the smoke became customary, and it’s color became deliberate. Specific chemicals are used to create the black (for “no pope yet”) and white smoke (for we have a pope!).

Now, can pink smoke for a gender reveal be created? Well, chemically it should be possible. But what might the Vatican say? Habemus no thanks!

#2 Who knew seagulls would be the real stars of the Conclave?

Image source: TheHappyPriest

Moments before the Sistine Chapel’s chimney began billowing white smoke, a seagull appeared on the roof, prompting the crowd at St. Peter’s Square to squeal with joy.

Some Catholics believed it was an “omen.”

#3 The new pope gave off some major Springfield energy to some

Image source: PrincessMissDee

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who will be known as Pope Leo XIV, will be the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter.

He was born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent. After serving as an altar boy, he was ordained in 1982 and moved to Peru a few years later.

#4 A Chicago-born pope is “just aesthetically wrong”

Image source: pourfairelevide

Some people are struggling to wrap their heads around the Pope being from Chicago.

It’s “just aesthetically wrong,” one said.

#5 The Vatican City got a taste of the American dream

Image source: HeroDividend

Chicago fans are already imagining new menu items taking over the Vatican.

Photoshoppers gave the city a makeover, with its own Costco and Waffle House.

#6 The seagulls got front row seats to the papal election

Image source: pasmitty_

“Habemus Papam”—Latin for “We have a Pope”—is the traditional, sacred declaration made by the senior cardinal deacon following the papal conclave.

The announcement is made from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City to proclaim the election of a new pope.

#7 Chicago is going down in meme history

Image source: jaysebben

May 8 was declared the “best meme day in Chicago,” courtesy of someone from the South Side of the city becoming the Supreme Pontiff.

Cardinal Robert Prevost not only became Pope Leo XIV, but also meme royalty.

#8 Da Pope

#9 Where there is smoke, there will be a Snoop Dogg

Image source: T_Bloyd

In Vatican tradition, white smoke signals the election of a new pontiff.

In meme tradition, if there’s smoke, then Snoop Dogg is meant to be around.

When a new pope is elected, white smoke is released from a chimney by burning the ballots, along with special chemicals, in a specially designed stove within the chapel.

If the color of the smoke is black, it means no pope has been elected.

#10 A hearty dose of deep dish pizza for the first blessing?

Image source: biz_socks

Memes ran wild on X with Chicagoans excitedly claiming that the new papacy means all things will be served with a hearty dose of deep dish pizza.

Some joked that the Pope’s first blessing will be delivered with a side of Chicago’s finest!

#11 Mr. Bean made a bit of a cameo during the Conclave, sort of

A video of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa looking distracted amid a sea of red hats and robes went viral online. The internet felt he was giving “main character energy.”

“Wow he’s literally me,” read one comment, while another said, “Can’t believe he managed to become a cardinal.”

#12 May 8 was an episode of ‘Keeping Up With The Cardinals’

Image source: popeyaoiXIV

It was an episode of ‘Keeping Up with the Cardinals’ for some netizens, as they sat scrolling on social media for the latest papal updates.

#13 The Vatican—where global news is delivered via chimney smoke

Image source: CorellaTej7982

The Vatican is the only place where global news is delivered via chimney smoke and nobody questions it.

When the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel to elect a pope, they are locked inside with no phones, no recorders, and no contact with the outside world.

#14 It’s was all about the Conclave, no room for anything else

Image source: RettDave

Cozy, caffeinated, and watching history unfold from their bedroom—this was every papal watcher on May 8.

One didn’t have to be a cardinal or a Catholic to refresh their feed nonstop.

#15 Rome’s pizza standards just got a divine upgrade

Image source: rorycooper

With a Chicago-born Pope in charge, it’s only a matter of time before the Vatican’s food menu includes deep-dish pizza, or at least some netizens thought so.

#16 Trisha Paytas and Pope Leo XIV now share the same birthday

Image source: lidolmix

Two huge events in one day: the Pope’s election and Trisha Paytas celebrating her 37th birthday.

Divine timing or divine intervention? You decide.

#17 No time like the present to make fun of your rivals

Image source: RossRead

The Wisconsin city of Green Bay, home to the Green Bay Packers, couldn’t catch a break amid the flood of memes.

The Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears have one of the most legendary rivalries in American sports history, and Chicagoans often joke about disliking everything Green Bay.

“God bless everyone in the world, except Green Bay,” one said.

#18 Even the mayor of Chicago couldn’t resist getting in on the fun

Image source: PhilStandard

It wasn’t just ordinary, humble social media users that churned out memes and jokes.

Even Brandon Johnson, the mayor of Chicago, didn’t miss out on the fun.

“Everything dope, including the Pope, comes from Chicago!” the mayor wrote on X.

“Congratulations to the first American Pope Leo XIV! We hope to welcome you back home soon,” he added.

#19 Seagulls came this close to upstaging the most awaited moment

Moments before white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney, a family of seagulls appeared to be entertaining onlookers in the Vatican.
“Our #Conclave distraction … seagull family on our roof in Rome,” one said.

“He’s been up there for hours. Is he guarding? Is he judging? Is he… campaigning? You know what? BIRD FOR POPE. He’s got the hat vibes already,” wrote another.

#20 St. Peter’s Square turned into a live-tweeting arena

Image source: ClubConcrave

Meme-makers reported live from St. Peter’s Square.

Netizens turned one of the Vatican’s most solemn moments into a live-tweeting event as the world waited to see the next successor.