Pope Leo XIV's Coronation Sparks a Frenzy Among Bears Fans
All jesting about the new Pope hailing from Chicago's bear-themed city is becoming a repetitive theme.
The Vatican's recent election of a new pope has sent shockwaves around the world – and, as always, Chicago's residents have their own distinctive take on the matter. After the death of Pope Francis, the College of Cardinals choose Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago as the 267th pontiff, now known as Pope Leo XIV.
This selection marks a first for the Catholic Church – the first time an American has risen to lead the Church. The announcement of the new pope caused quite a stir, particularly among Chicago sports fans, with many reminiscing about their struggling NFL franchise's quarterback woes.
"Chicago got a pope before it got a QB to throw for 4,000 yards in a season," one user wrote on social media, X (formerly Twitter). Another posted, "Chicago produced a Pope before a QB who throws for 4000 yards." Social media exploded as users shared a variety of takes on the pandemic-style humorous parallel between the two momentous events.
"Congrats to everyone who unlocked the same Chicago Pope before a Bears 4,000 yard passer joke within 10 minutes of each other. Truly a historic day for parallel thinking," read another viral post.
One user offered a more pointed observation: "You build the requisite character to one day become Pope by watching Dave Krieg lead the Bears through a 7-9 season under Wanny."
A Ray of Hope for Chicago Bears fans
The Bears, one of the NFL’s oldest franchises, have yet to have a quarterback reach the 4,000-yard passing mark in a single season. The 1995 season came closest, with Erik Kramer throwing for 3,838 yards. This statistical drought has become emblematic of the team’s decades-long struggles to find a competent quarterback.
Caleb Williams, the Bears' No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, offers hope for Bears fans. In his rookie season, Williams finished the year with 3,541 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, six interceptions, and an 87.8 passer rating while adding 489 rushing yards. Despite his promising performance, the Bears went 5-12 and finished last in the NFC North. While Williams faced obstacles, his passing yardage placed fifth in Bears history, and he surpassed the 3,500-yard mark, becoming one of only three Chicago QBs to do so.
In 2025, Williams takes the field under new head coach Ben Johnson, previously the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, as the Bears aim to turn their fortunes around.
From Oak Lawn to the Vatican – A Historic Journey
Born in Oak Lawn, Illinois, Prevost entered the priesthood in the 1980s and served both in Peru and within the Church's global leadership ranks, culminating in his selection as Pope Leo XIV. Prevost's election comes at a pivotal moment for the Church, facing diverse social and theological challenges.
While the election carries significant religious importance, the laughter, sarcasm, and spirit of camaraderie shared by Chicagoans in light of the Bears' ongoing struggle to find a stable quarterback makes this historic event truly memorable.
- Social media users, in a playful manner, drew parallels between Pope Leo XIV's election and the Chicago Bears' quest for a quarterback who could throw for 4,000 yards in a season.
- A user, showing a sense of shared history, pointed out that one could build the character to become Pope by watching Dave Krieg lead the Bears through a challenging season.
- Caleb Williams, the Bears' newly drafted quarterback, could be a ray of hope for fans, as he surpassed the 3,500-yard passing mark in his rookie season, making him one of three Chicago QBs to do so.
- Pope Leo XIV, elected from Oak Lawn, Illinois, embarked on a historic journey from a Midwest suburb to the Vatican, while Chicago Bears fans continued to grapple with their team's struggle to find a stable, high-performing quarterback.
