On May 8, 2025, history was made as Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago native, was elected Pope Leo XIV—the first American to lead the Catholic Church. The internet, ever quick on the draw, responded with a deluge of memes celebrating his Windy City roots. From deep-dish pizzas to references to Chicago's iconic culture, social media platforms were awash with humorous takes on the new pontiff's background.

The meme frenzy didn't stop at culinary nods. Users playfully dubbed him "Da Pope," a nod to Chicago's famous "Da Bears" sketch, and imagined him blessing congregants with a slice of Italian beef in hand. Others joked about the Vatican's potential adoption of Chicago-style hot dogs as communion wafers. It's a blend of reverence and ribbing that only the internet can deliver—if you know, you know.

From Chicago to the Vatican: Pope Leo XIV's meme Ascension