From deep dish to ‘Da Pope': Social media users welcome the Chicago-born head of the Catholic Church
The new pope isn't just from America, he's from Chicago – a fact that social media users are eating up like it's deep-dish pizza.
Robert Prevost became the 267th pope on Thursday. Pope Leo XIV, as he will be known, was born in Chicago, making him the first American to ever be elected by the conclave in the Catholic Church's 2,000-year history.
Outside the Sistine Chapel, cheers erupted in the packed Vatican City, where many awaited the man who would be named to replace Pope Francis.
Online, social media users flooded the internet with memes and jokes about the city Pope Leo hails from, including its signature deep dish pizza, its beloved but often disappointing sports teams, and all things Chicago.
Everyone seems to be more than happy to lean into his Chicago roots.
Even former President Barack Obama congratulated the new pope as a 'fellow Chicagoan.' He wrote: 'This is a historic day for the United States, and we will pray for him as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example for so many, regardless of faith.'
If there's one thing that ties Italy and Chicago together, it's pizza.
'Finally Rome will have good pizza,' one X user remarked.
'Deep Dish beat Pizzaballa,' another quipped, referring to Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, who was considered a contender to lead the Catholic Church.
Comedian Jon Lovett joked about another Chicago staple: 'Ironically, picking a pope from Chicago probably created a fair amount of Italian beef.'
Another poster alluded to Chicago-style hot dogs — famously jam-packed with yellow mustard, relish, white onion, tomato slices, a dill pickle spear, pickled sport peppers and celery salt and no ketchup. The user was hoping to ask Pope Leo: 'Is ketchup on a hot dog an actual sin?'
Chicago is also known for its die-hard sports fans, as well as its intra-city rivalry between its baseball teams, the Cubs and the White Sox. Despite being from the south side, which is often associated with the Sox, Pope Leo XIV confirmed he's a Cubs fan (though his brother still insists he backs the Sox).
Noting that the baseball team has only won three times in its 150-year history, one user joked: 'The first American Pope in history is a Cubs fan! He will certainly have empathy for the suffering.'
Another posted a photo of the new pope dressed like Chicago Bears legend Mike Ditka, with Ray Bans, a gray mustache and a 'Bears' logo across a navy robe. 'Sundays at the Vatican are about to be lit,' the caption reads.
Yet another joked: 'The father, the son and da Bears, amiright?'
Alongside a photo of a 1990s Saturday Night Live clip featuring four men dressed in head-to-toe gear discussing 'da Bears' in exaggerated Midwestern accents, one user simply put: 'DA POPE.'
Others even posted a clip of the pope's first appearance set to the The Bulls' theme song: "Sirius" by The Alan Parsons Project.
The white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel Thursday, signaling the new pope had been elected, a week after President Donald Trump said he'd 'like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice.' Days later, the president posted an AI-generated image of himself dressed in white papal vestments and headdress — a move that sparked criticism but what Trump passed off as a mere 'joke.'
On Thursday, The Onion, a satirical Chicago-based paper, splashed a photo of the American pope alongside a fake quote on its homepage. It read: 'Pope Leo XIV: 'There Couldn't Be A Better Time To Get The F*** Out Of America Forever.''
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She won an Emmy for 'The Name of the Game' (1969) and starred in films like 'Love at First Bite' (1979). A three-time Golden Globe nominee, she later became a Connection: Raised in Rockford and attended Rockford schools. Profession: ActorNotable Achievements: Born in Chicago in 1959, Quinn lived in Rockford while his father taught English literature at Rock Valley College. Quinn is known for his roles in 'Desperately Seeking Susan' (1985), 'Benny & Joon' (1993), and 'Legends of the Fall' (1994), he also starred in 'Elementary' and 'Law & Order: SVU.'Rockford Connection: Lived in Rockford and attended Rockford Public Schools. Profession: Actor, voice actor, singerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1961, Benson is best known as the voice of Ariel in Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' (1989) and its sequels. She voiced Barbie in 'Toy Story 2″ and Toy Story 3' and earned Tony and Helen Hayes nominations for Broadway's 'Crazy for You.' Her other work includes 'Thumbelina' (1994) and 'Enchanted' (2007).Rockford Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Boylan Central Catholic High School. Profession: Professional basketball playerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1994, VanVleet won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and became an All-Star in 2022. An undrafted player out of Wichita State, VanVleet graduated from Auburn High School, where he was a four-year star for the Knights. He now plays for the Houston Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, graduated from Auburn High School. Profession: Singer, actorNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1979, Williams joined Destiny's Child in 2000, contributing to hits like 'Survivor.' A graduate of Auburn High School's Creative and Performing Arts program, she released the gospel album 'Heart to Yours' (2002) and the pop album 'Unexpected' (2008). She also starred in Broadway's 'Aida.'Rockford Connection: Born and raised in Rockford, attended Auburn High School. Profession: Actor, singerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1960, Mazzie was a Tony-nominated Broadway star for 'Passion'(1994), 'Ragtime' (1998), and 'Kiss Me, Kate' (1999). Known for her powerful soprano voice, she appeared in 'Next to Normal' and 'Bullets Over Broadway.' She died in Connection: Born and raised in Rockford. Profession: Actor, director, producerNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1962, Mantello won Tony Awards for directing 'Take Me Out' (2003) and 'Assassins' (2004). He earned a Tony nomination for acting in Angels in America (1993) and directed Broadway hits like 'Wicked.'Rockford Connection: Born in Rockford. Profession: PoliticianNotable Achievements: Born in Rockford in 1922, Anderson served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois (1961–81) and ran as an independent in the 1980 presidential election, earning 6.6% of the vote. 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