What are the Pope Games? Inside TikTok's conclave obsession
The ritual of the papal conclave is solemn business shrouded in secrecy.
The process to elect the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church involves confiscated phones, blacked-out windows and high-stakes diplomacy – which also makes it perfect fodder for social media obsession and instant memeification.
In the days since Pope Francis passed away, award-winning film Conclave's viewership has surged by 283 per cent. However, social media has taken a more... creative approach.
'Catholic Superbowl tomorrow,' one TikTok user declared on a video with more than half a million views.
'Day one of the Pope Games is complete,' another creator narrated to their 2.6 million followers.
'One hundred thirty-three of these singles have entered the villa, no technology or contact with the outside world, leaving the ring light at the door, losing their Duolingo streaks. Here's all the messy drama that went down before the conclave and what we can look forward to.'
Comparing a centuries-old process to reality shows like Big Brother or RuPaul's Drag Race or even the NFL draft are among the many viral conclave-driven memes saturating the internet.
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