Overview

• Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old from Chicago, was elected Pope Leo XIV on May 8, marking the conclusion of a historic conclave.
• Cardinal Vincent Nichols described the conclave as a serene, spiritual retreat, countering the dramatic portrayals seen in popular media like the film 'Conclave.'
• Online communities dubbed 'conclavecore' turned the papal election into a viral phenomenon, treating cardinals like celebrities with memes, fancams, and live commentary.
• The X account 'Pope Crave,' initially a parody fan page, gained significant traction as a real-time source of conclave updates, amassing nearly 100,000 followers.
• Criticism of Pope Leo XIV’s past stances on gender ideology and clerical abuse has surfaced online, highlighting tensions between digital fandom and Church tradition.