(RNS) — You know how the internet can be: One day it’s never heard of you, and the next you’re the latest meme sensation. Since Pope Leo XIV was announced as the first pontiff from the United States on the second day of the conclave Thursday (May 8), he’s become a sensation among the extremely online for his Chicago background, his math degree from Villanova and the possible implications for sports teams.
Here’s a look at some of the internet’s funniest memes and tweets about the new pope.
The new pope won’t have any trouble finding his way around Italy. Being from Chicago, he’s seen this map a thousand times. pic.twitter.com/SECWMochCV
— Joseph S. Pete (@nwi_jsp) May 8, 2025
Funniest thing about this pope is he definitely has a cousin exactly like this pic.twitter.com/lixThXHjuR
— Sam Bruchhaus (@sambruchhaus) May 8, 2025
Conclave Selects First Chicago-Style Pope pic.twitter.com/5iUH0jjgpH
— The Onion (@TheOnion) May 8, 2025
BREAKING: New stained glass has just been installed in St. Peter’s Basilica pic.twitter.com/0TjliaNyWq
— John W. Rich (Wealthy) (@Cokedupoptions) May 8, 2025
Early exit polls suggest the new pope did particularly well with male voters aged 45-79.
— Paul Fairie (@paulisci) May 8, 2025
Smart play for the Vatican to go with an American Pope to avoid tariffs
— Armand Domalewski (@ArmandDoma) May 8, 2025
The new pope was a math major in college. So if a students asks you what types of jobs there are for math majors, well, there you go. Start studying those higher powers!
— Jay Cummings (@LongFormMath) May 8, 2025
Chicago Pope, Tuesdays on NBC
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) May 8, 2025
The benefits of having a Pope who is from Chicago is that now he can introduce good pizza to Rome.
— Write Girl Problems (@WriteGrlProbs) May 8, 2025
pope yes
— Popeyes (@Popeyes) May 8, 2025
The Pope is a Villanova guy. Knicks might just win the whole thing.
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) May 8, 2025
The real first American pope: pic.twitter.com/ptqtucsiJo
— Overheard (@realoverheardla) May 8, 2025
White Sox fan Pope. Now that’s a Vow of Poverty. https://t.co/kdRZUa2oKD
— Foolish Baseball (@FoolishBB) May 9, 2025
the vatican revealing the new pope pic.twitter.com/4Pf5OGPSiC
— wiLL (@willfulchaos) May 8, 2025
Conferences with a Pope:
Big East – …