Elon Musk has joked about becoming Pope Leo XIV after the election of Robert Prevost, the Chicago-born pontiff. In a post on X, the billionaire wrote: 'I should have been Pope Leo XIV.' The comment came as social media users celebrated the first American pope in history.
Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago, was elected on Thursday as the 267th pope, replacing Pope Francis. His American roots sparked a wave of memes and jokes online, with many referencing Chicago's deep-dish pizza, sports teams, and local cuisine.
Former President Barack Obama congratulated the new pope as a 'fellow Chicagoan,' writing: 'This is a historic day for the United States.' The Onion, a satirical Chicago-based paper, also joined in, posting a fake quote from the pope about leaving America.
Musk's joke adds to the lighthearted online reaction, though some critics noted the timing amid serious global issues. The new pope has yet to respond to the billionaire's quip.
