Ope, The New Pope: Leo XIV Arrives in Chicago – The People’s Pope

They said it couldn’t happen. They said the Vatican would never elect a Midwesterner, let alone one who began every sentence with “Ope.” But the world woke up to the breaking news: Leo XIV, the first Pope born in Chicago, had just stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica… holding a deep-dish pizza and muttering, “Ope, didn’t mean to cause a fuss”.

Welcome to your reign, Pope Leo XIV, a pope like no other—imagined in cotton and ink on a T-shirt that has soaked up every fashionable nook and cranny of theology, humor, and national pride. The shirt doesn’t just make a statement. It makes a spectacle. A holy, hilarious spectacle, steeped in the flavor of deep-dish pizza.

But what makes “Ope, the New Pope: Leo XIV – Chicago” so popular? Why does this unlikely combination of Vatican drama and Midwestern charm work so well? And who exactly is this legendary, memorable pope from the Windy City?

Let’s step into this strange cultural moment.

1. The Beginning of It All: 

Like many great things, it all started with a T-shirt. The text is simple enough, with the addition of a cartoon image and a bold slogan: “Ope, The new pope – Leo XIV – Chicago.” Below is a small image: a smiling pope waving with one hand and holding a Polish sausage in the other, with the downtown Chicago skyline looming behind him, including the Willis Tower and Bean Tower.
At first glance, it’s a clever play on words. But dig deeper and it’s actually a poignant satire, a loving parody, and a surprisingly insightful reflection on how we interact with tradition, culture, and identity in this ironic age.

2. What does “Ope” mean?

To truly appreciate the ingenuity of this design, one must understand the word “Ope.” If you’re from the Midwest, you’ll unconsciously utter it ten times a day. It’s the voice of humility, the voice of polite interruption, the voice of casual presence. Who better to be a spiritual leader?
The shirt combines the words “Ope” and “Pope,” giving the Pope a Midwestern soul. The poem imagines a pope who, instead of wearing a Roman Empire robe or tunic, wears Cubs gear, opens a cold LaCroix, and calls his mother every Sunday.

About the Pope: LeO XIV: The Fictional Pope:

Leo XIV, born LeO Kowalczyk, was born in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood and became a parish priest known for blessing dogs and snowplows. He was ordained a priest in Chicago in 1982. From 1985 to 1998, he served as a priest, diocesan official, and seminary professor in Peru. From 2001 to 2013, he served as Superior General of the Order of St. Augustine. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. He became well-known in his church for his strong faith and down-to-earth charisma. Initially, people weren’t optimistic that he would become Pope. But in a secret meeting, a cardinal from Wisconsin suddenly whispered, “He has heart.” And so Leo XIV was elected.
On his first day as pope, he tripped over his papal robes and said “ope,” and the world fell in love with him.

Leo XIV is a fictional pope shaped by culture—he combines Midwestern humility with Catholic tradition, presented through the lens of humor and nostalgia. Together, we created this character to make the faith more accessible, more relatable, and more fun.
After one of the shortest closed-door meetings in history, lasting just 24 hours, the 133 cardinal electors of the Sistine Chapel elected Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost to succeed Pope Francis as head of the Vatican.
The 267th pope in history and the first born in the United States, Cardinal Prevost chose the name Pope Leo XIV. His first words to the crowd on the Vatican balcony were “Peace be with you,” and in his first speech he emphasized the importance of building bridges and the role of the church in bringing people from all walks of life together.

At 69, previously lived in Peru for 20 years, where he became a bishop and gained international fame. Before Pope Francis’ death, Prevost was responsible for selecting and overseeing bishops around the world. He has spent time in the United States, Latin America, and Italy; this connects him to the whole Church. Taking the name Leo connects him to previous popes who faced the challenges of the modern world, and Pope Leo XIV wanted to address these challenges. The name also connects him to a long line of popes, many of whom have chosen the names of important popes of the past. He is committed to the social teachings of the Church and will approach the papacy in a pastoral way. This, combined with his relationship with Pope Francis, puts him in line with Pope Francis’ vision for the Church. In his first public appearance, he wore traditional papal garb, something Pope Francis has never done before. Pope Leo XIV is willing to make necessary reforms without compromising long-standing Church teachings.

 

3. Is Chicago the New Vatican?

When you put “Leo XIV” and “Chicago” on the same T-shirt, you’re not just naming a geographic location. You’re implying a shift in power, perspective, and personality. Imagine Vatican City moved to the Loop. Imagine the Pope’s Swiss Guard wearing Chicago Bears jerseys. Imagine the scent of incense replaced by the aroma of Garrett popcorn.
Chicago, with its deep Catholic roots, history of immigration, and harsh climate, made the perfect setting for the Pope’s re-establishment. It wasn’t just an “Oh my gosh, there’s a new pope” moment. It was an “Oh my gosh, he’s one of us” moment.

4. Humor is moral:

Religious satire can be dangerous, but this shirt captures it perfectly. It doesn’t mock faith, it supports it in a new way. The message is: I was born Catholic, I know the rituals, I listen to the sermons, I eat fish and chips. I know what’s sacred. I’m not afraid to smile about it.
Powerful. Because in an age where fewer people are curled up on the couch and more people are still craving connection, shirts like this convey a spiritual message – humorous, but also loving, thoughtful and sincere

5. Who wears this shirt? Daaa Chicago Pope Shirt:

You’ll see it at:
– Older Catholics who still happily talk about confession and the Eucharist.
– Priests with a sense of humor wear it at the rectory on a regular Friday.
– Midwesterners wear “ope” shirts as a second skin.
– Theologians with large TikTok followings and a knack for creating memes.
– Young people of faith who want to reclaim their Catholic identity without the baggage.
A conversation starter. A memory trigger. A wearable wink.

6. Design Analysis: A Clue to Tradition:

Color palette? Vatican white, cardinal red, Chicago blue. Font choice? Gothic font paired with bold block patterns resembling bears. Symbol? St. Peter’s keys crossed with hot dogs. A halo glowing above Bean’s head.
This is not just fun. It is a multi-layered story told through symbols that says, “We understand the world. We love the world and we are willing to laugh at the world.”

7. Meme Meet Faith:

We’ve seen Jesus Is My Friend, WWJD, and Straight Outta Nazareth. But The Open New Pope is about something more specific—the marriage of regional identity and global tradition.
This is the meme version of Vatican II: accessible, adaptable, and for everyone.

8. Open Theology:

“Ope” is confession. Admit your mistakes. Admit your imperfections. “Ope” is grace. A small apology makes room for others. “Ope” is humility. No exaggeration. No arrogance. The pope just shrugs and says “I’m sorry.”
Leo XIV wasn’t just funny. He was the pope we needed. This was the man who didn’t pose. The man who would bless your dog without hesitation. He led not from a throne, but from a line of donuts after Mass.

9. Satire as Sacred Space;

Sometimes the best way to celebrate something is to laugh at it. Humor opens doors. It softens walls. It connects people to symbols that might otherwise have become heavy.
The shirt is a sacred order in itself. A ministry of laughter. A ritual of irony. A sermon filled with jokes.

10. Was there really a Pope Leo XIV?

Not yet. But maybe one day. When that day comes, somewhere in Chicago, someone will shout “Ope!” and pull out the shirt they’ve been holding onto since 2025.
Because that’s the power of imagination. And fashion. And faith that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

The Last Blessing

A T-shirt with a funny slogan. A fictional pope. A city known for hot dogs and the Virgin Mary. A three-letter word that captures the soul of a region. It’s silly. And clever. And surprisingly spiritual.

Ultimately, “Opie, the New Pope: Leo XIV – Chicago” is more than a joke. It reminds us that religion, like everything human, is both sacred and silly. A leader can be flawed and still holy. Laughter can be a form of prayer.
Sometimes the best way to understand the sacred…is to start with “Ope”.

* You can visit to see some designs as you like: https://teerockin.com/