Latest news with #CatholicSuperbowl
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Vatican goes viral: TikTokers fascinated by pope election
As the world waited this week to see who would be elected the next pope, the major event also took social media by storm, with content creators weighing in with memes and comedic skits about the tradition they dubbed the "Catholic Superbowl." The conclave — the highly secretive ritual of selecting a new pope — began on Wednesday, following Pope Francis' death on April 21. A group of 133 cardinals from the College of Cardinals met at the Vatican to vote through secret ballot, with a two-thirds majority required to select the Catholic Church's next leader. On Thursday afternoon, white smoke was seen billowing from the Sistine Chapel, signaling a new pope had been elected. The conclave later announced that Cardinal Robert F. Prevost was chosen as the new leader of the Catholic Church — which has around 1.4 billion members worldwide. For some members of Generation Z, it was the first conclave they really remembered – the last took place in 2013 – and they took a surprising interest in the hallowed tradition. White Smoke Over Sistine Chapel As New Pope Chosen Content creators on TikTok and Instagram playfully covered the solemn proceedings this week as if it were a sports contest, with popular accounts dubbing the conclave the "Catholic Superbowl" or the "Pope Games." Read On The Fox News App The conclave inspired memes, songs, reality television show parodies, skits and comparisons to the NFL draft that have reached millions of views on social media, Axios reported. Even social media users without any religious beliefs weighed in with their choices for the next pope. One video from an atheist TikToker wishing that Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle would emerge the winner, has racked up over 4 million views. Tagle was dubbed the "Asian Pope Francis" and appeared to be a favorite among liberal TikTokers because of his approachable demeanor and progressive views, according to a columnist at National Catholic Reporter. 'Conclave' Director Says Controversial Scenes In Movie About Papal Elections 'Not A Takedown Of The Church' Social media users also took inspiration from clips from the 2024 Oscar-winning film "Conclave," which experienced a spike in streaming since the death of Pope Francis in April. Politico reported that some cardinals who have never experienced a conclave before looked to the film for guidance on Vatican protocol and proceedings. The White House also joined in the online speculation over the new pope last week, with President Donald Trump jokingly posting an AI-generated image of himself as the pope on Truth Social. Prevost, the first pope ever from North America, chose the papal name Leo XIV. Social media users were quick to make jokes about the new pontiff being an American. Some liberals hoped the new pontiff would share their political leanings, including former Obama aide Jon Favreau, who cheered the pope for his past posts criticizing the Trump administration's immigration article source: Vatican goes viral: TikTokers fascinated by pope election
Fox News
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Vatican goes viral: TikTokers fascinated by pope election
As the world waited this week to see who would be elected the next pope, the major event also took social media by storm, with content creators weighing in with memes and comedic skits about the tradition they dubbed the "Catholic Superbowl." The conclave — the highly secretive ritual of selecting a new pope — began on Wednesday, following Pope Francis' death on April 21. A group of 133 cardinals from the College of Cardinals met at the Vatican to vote through secret ballot, with a two-thirds majority required to select the Catholic Church's next leader. On Thursday afternoon, white smoke was seen billowing from the Sistine Chapel, signaling a new pope had been elected. The conclave later announced that Cardinal Robert F. Prevost was chosen as the new leader of the Catholic Church — which has around 1.4 billion members worldwide. For some members of Generation Z, it was the first conclave they really remembered – the last took place in 2013 – and they took a surprising interest in the hallowed tradition. Content creators on TikTok and Instagram playfully covered the solemn proceedings this week as if it were a sports contest, with popular accounts dubbing the conclave the "Catholic Superbowl" or the "Pope Games." The conclave inspired memes, songs, reality television show parodies, skits and comparisons to the NFL draft that have reached millions of views on social media, Axios reported. Even social media users without any religious beliefs weighed in with their choices for the next pope. One video from an atheist TikToker wishing that Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle would emerge the winner, has racked up over 4 million views. Tagle was dubbed the "Asian Pope Francis" and appeared to be a favorite among liberal TikTokers because of his approachable demeanor and progressive views, according to a columnist at National Catholic Reporter. Social media users also took inspiration from clips from the 2024 Oscar-winning film "Conclave," which experienced a spike in streaming since the death of Pope Francis in April. Politico reported that some cardinals who have never experienced a conclave before looked to the film for guidance on Vatican protocol and proceedings. The White House also joined in the online speculation over the new pope last week, with President Donald Trump jokingly posting an AI-generated image of himself as the pope on Truth Social. Prevost, the first pope ever from North America, chose the papal name Leo XIV. Social media users were quick to make jokes about the new pontiff being an American. Some liberals hoped the new pontiff would share their political leanings, including former Obama aide Jon Favreau, who cheered the pope for his past posts criticizing the Trump administration's immigration policy. Fox News' Gabriele Regalbuto contributed to this article.
The Age
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
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.
Sydney Morning Herald
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
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.
Axios
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
"Conclave core": TikTok turns to the Vatican
For the first time, the TikTok generation is watching and making content about a papal conclave, otherwise known as " Catholic Superbowl." The big picture: After an award-winning movie on the topic last year, the sacred process is officially intersecting with pop culture in new ways. State of play: TikTokers are getting creative in depicting the highly secretive proceedings. They're sharing edits and clips of the cardinals they want to see emerge victorious. They're acting out skits of what could be happening behind the cardinals' veil of secrecy. And they're explaining the rules and players of the highly anticipated "Pope Games." There's something for everyone. The papal election has a theme song, "Let's Have a Conclave," to the tune of "Let's Have a Kiki." For reality TV fans, there's " The Real Housecardinals of Vatican City," and " RuPaul Judges the Conclave." For sports fans, there's " the Pope Draft." Flashback: When Pope Francis was elected in the last conclave in 2013, TikTok didn't exist in the U.S. The social media of that time was a seagull that landed near the Sistine Chapel chimney and inspired a Twitter account, as New York Magazine's The Cut reports. Context: The conclave is far more serious than some irreverent videos and skits might suggest. The new Pope will take over a Church with some 1.4 billion members worldwide. But his power will transcend the faith community, as he assumes a role with vast diplomatic influence. The bottom line: The electors take an oath of absolute secrecy before voting, and the chapel is sealed.
