Pope Leo does viral '6-7' meme in the Vatican. #67 #Pope #PopeLeo #Vatican #BBCNews

Pope Leo's '6-7' Meme Sends Vatican Into Viral Frenzy

The corridors of the Vatican echoed with unexpected laughter this morning as Pope Leo embraced the latest internet craze. In a light-hearted moment captured on video, the pontiff performed the now-famous '6-7' gesture, instantly propelling the ancient city-state into the heart of global social media trends.

BBC News broke the story just hours ago, with footage showing the Pope flashing the meme during an informal gathering. British viewers woke to the clip dominating morning feeds, sparking a wave of amused reactions across the United Kingdom.

A Surprise From the Holy See

The '6-7' meme, which originated on TikTok earlier this year, involves a playful hand signal paired with a rhythmic chant. Until today, few expected to see it enacted beneath the frescoed ceilings of St Peter's.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as spontaneous and joyful. One Vatican insider told reporters that Pope Leo had been briefed on the trend by younger staff and decided to join in "for a bit of fun."

UK Social Media Erupts

Here in Britain, the reaction has been swift and overwhelmingly positive. Hashtags #PopeLeo and #67 trended on X throughout the morning, with users from London to Glasgow sharing edited clips set to popular UK soundtracks.

Labour MP Sarah Thompson tweeted: "Even the Pope knows how to keep things light in 2026. Love this!" Her post gained over 45,000 likes within the first hour.

Why It Matters

Beyond the chuckles, the moment highlights how global leaders are increasingly engaging with digital culture. For a figure as traditionally reserved as the Pope, participating in a viral meme signals a willingness to connect with younger generations on their terms.

UK-based Catholic groups have welcomed the gesture, noting it humanises the Church at a time when many young Britons feel disconnected from organised religion.

The Day's Timeline

- 08:15 BST: BBC uploads the original clip from Vatican sources. - 09:42 BST: The video surpasses one million views on YouTube. - 11:20 BST: UK influencers begin creating their own '6-7' versions in solidarity.

As the afternoon wears on, the story continues to dominate both traditional news bulletins and online conversations.

This is Erica Thornton for Global1.news, reporting from London. 🇬🇧

Source: BBC News via YouTube — 2026-05-17T15:31:27+00:00.