There have often been a lot of discussions on a supposed social media summit for sports purposes. And there have certainly been times where social media was less fragmented and more concentrated on sports.
But moments like the election of Thursday of Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago as the Pope Leo XIV proved, through X and Bluesky, that there is always an incredible market to reference sports around notable events. Let's start with the reuse by Ben Heisler of “Sirius” of the Alan Parsons project (Introduction of Bulls since 1984) as papal entrance music:
A new Chicago Pope needs a real introduction to Chicago… 🔊 pic.twitter.com/zwtlzbv7hu
– Ben Heisler (@bennyheis) May 8, 2025
It was far from Chicago's only reference here. The diffuser of San Antonio Spurs, Dan Weiss, previously made a similar reference:
“De Chicago, number XIV, Pope Leo” pic.twitter.com/8qx9qqhfxj
– Dan Weiss (@danweisspbp) May 8, 2025
The idea of ​​a Chicago Pope aroused a lot of additional discussions, both in X and Bluesky. Here are some of that:
&
Conclave selects the first chicago style pope
– onion (@ Theonion.com)) May 8, 2025 at 3:41 p.m.
A Chicago Pope implies the existence of a MLA Pope and APA POPE
– Hector Diaz (@ iamhectordiaz.com)) May 8, 2025 at 12:36 p.m.
Translation:
He ate our dogs#chicagopope pic.twitter.com/axnrl4fzav– The Wieners Circle (@thewienercircle) May 8, 2025
Chicago produced a Pope before a QB that launches 4000 yards.
– Annie Agar (@annieagar) May 8, 2025
However, this quickly transformed into discussion on the particular brand of the Pope's baseball fandom. While the Cubs kissed him quickly on their brand of Wrigley Field (not their marked), an interview with his brother suggests potential loyalty of the White Sox:
Congratulations to Pope Leo XIV! pic.twitter.com/s02yddegqd
– Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 8, 2025
Obviously, the biggest question about Robert Prevost, from Chicago, now that he is Pope Leo XIV: Cubs or White Sox? His brother gave the final answer to @Wgnnews' @Danarebikwgn pic.twitter.com/dvmigz0qhy
– Josh Frydman (@josh_frydman) May 8, 2025
We will have to wait and see where the Pope-Chicago's sports discussion here is. However, there does not seem to be any questioning of his loyalty Villanova, and this led to his own sporting speech.
Nova Boys
The new pope went to Villanova 👀 pic.twitter.com/9eljlcd2ii
– Whistle (@Whistlesports) May 8, 2025
By crossing the Villanova campus. The bells of the church sound, the helicopters that turn and the students gather outside the chapel. A priest “it's crazy!” Rather cool
– Dana O'Neil (@danaoneilwriter) May 8, 2025
In 2016, Robert Prevost (now newly appointed Pope Leo XIV) republished an article on Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges (and Donte Divinzo) leading Villanova to a championship
The Knicks have the blessing of the Holy Father pic.twitter.com/slgp1tautb
– Knicks even (@Knicksmemes) May 8, 2025
The world of sport remains undefeated to find ways to reference current news. And this is always seen even in our current time of the fragmentation of social media.
