Pope Crave: Meme account inspired by ‘Conclave' goes viral during real papal election
As the world awaited the announcement of the new pope, one unlikely source delivered the news ahead of the Vatican's official channels—a meme account dedicated to the 2024 film Conclave.
Created by Dallas-based artist Susan Bin, the account @ClubConcrave has become a viral hub for memes and live updates from Vatican City.
Launched in 2024 following Bin's fascination with the film adaptation of Robert Harris's novel, the account built a niche community through humorous content and fan art. The platform, also known as Pope Crave, parodied pop culture news pages while focusing on all things papal.
During the real 2025 conclave, it surged in popularity after sharing a meme-filled post about the white smoke moments before the Vatican made its official announcement.
Speaking to New York Times Bin said, 'I am currently physically not in the Vatican, but metaphysically I am always in the Vatican and in their walls.' The account's popularity grew organically from fan interest, particularly after the film gained traction in Asian markets post-Oscars. A Discord server and a charity zine followed, establishing a global network of contributors, some of whom Bin claims are stationed within Vatican City.
The account, which blends sincere curiosity with satire, has received little negative feedback. Bin added, 'It comes from a place of sincerity and humor… I think Pope Francis would enjoy these memes.'
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