Pope Leo XIV performed the viral “6-7” hand gesture on Sunday after children taught him the trend at the Vatican [1, 2].
The moment marks a rare instance of the pontiff directly participating in a contemporary internet meme. This effort to engage with younger generations through social media trends reflects a broader push to make the papacy more accessible to children and youth [1, 2].
The interaction took place in Vatican City, Rome [1, 2, 3]. The Pope joined the gesture after children showed him how to perform the specific hand movements associated with the online trend, reports said [1, 2]. The event was captured in a video that has since been shared across various social media platforms [1, 2, 3].
While the official title of the pontiff is cited as Pope Leo XIV by several news outlets, some reports refer to him simply as Pope Leo [1, 2]. Regardless of the formal designation, the video shows the Pope attempting the gesture to connect with the children present during the visit [1, 2].
The “6-7” trend has gained significant traction online, often characterized by specific finger placements, and rhythmic movements. By adopting the gesture, the Pope signaled a willingness to step outside traditional ecclesiastical formalities to meet young Catholics on their own terms [1, 2].
No official statement from the Holy See has been released regarding the specific intent of the video, but the footage demonstrates a lighthearted interaction between the head of the Catholic Church and the youth [1, 2].
“Pope Leo XIV performed the viral “6-7” hand gesture on Sunday.”
This interaction demonstrates a strategic shift toward 'digital diplomacy' within the Vatican. By participating in a viral trend, the papacy is attempting to bridge the generational gap and maintain relevance in an era where short-form video content dominates the attention of the youth, potentially humanizing the office of the Pope to a global audience.
