Camilla Jessen
A gift from a Chicago family to the Pope is going viral.
Pope Leo has once again captured the internet’s attention after accepting a gift from a family who had traveled thousands of miles to meet him.
The moment has sparked waves of reactions online.
This was reported by Newsner.
The First American Pope
Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became the first American pope earlier this year following the death of Pope Francis.
His election marked a new chapter for the Catholic Church, and with it, a distinct shift in tone.
Known for his approachable demeanor and subtle embrace of modern culture, Pope Leo has quickly endeared himself to Catholics and non-Catholics alike, particularly in his home country.
His Growing Fanbase
In June, the 69-year-old pontiff made headlines when he put on a Chicago White Sox baseball cap during a public appearance, all while dressed in his traditional papal robes.
The image went viral, sparking discussions on how Pope Leo is bridging the gap between tradition and modern culture.
An SNL-Inspired Gift
The latest viral moment came when a family from Chicago presented Pope Leo with a shirt reading “Da Pope”—a nod to the iconic “Da Bears” sketch from Saturday Night Live.
Pope Leo accepted the t-shirt with a broad smile.
For many, the interaction was not just humorous but a symbol of the pride Chicagoans feel in seeing one of their own at the pinnacle of the Catholic Church.
“They’ll Never Let Us Have Another American Pope”
Social media exploded with reactions to the video of Pope Leo graciously accepting the shirt.
Comments ranged from affectionate pride to tongue-in-cheek predictions about the papacy’s future.
“They’ll never let us have another American pope after this lol,” joked one Reddit user.
“He Sees the Fun and the Seriousness in His Work”
“I know this is supposed to be a trashy interaction, but I think it’s really nice and shows that they’re just really proud to have a pope from their city,” one Chicagoan commented.
Another user quipped, “I agree with you, Americans are deeply unserious – and he loves it. He signed a Pokémon card. He sees the fun and the seriousness in his work, and how it can bring people together.”
A New Kind of Papacy?
Traditionally, the papacy is associated with solemnity, reserve, and centuries of ritual. Yet Pope Leo seems comfortable balancing these expectations with moments of levity.
While some critics view these interactions as unbecoming, many see them as refreshing.
“His smile and demeanor are very friendly,” wrote one user. “And he speaks up for the Gazans and Ukraine. I’m very proud to be from the same little hometown (Dolton) as him.”
