The real reason why I and millions of other young people were drawn to the Pope in this cynical, social media-mad world: FRED KELLY

The last thing I expected to wake up to on Bank Holiday Monday was a flood of messages from friends in their twenties expressing shock and sadness at the death of Pope Francis.
In many cases, these were people who see the inside of a church once a year on Christmas Day and as likely think Communion is a pop-band as a Holy sacrament.
And yet, their grief has been tangible and authentic.
As a lapsed 29-year-old Catholic, I too was surprised to feel an acute tinge of sadness as I watched back the Pope's final Easter address, recorded the day before his passing.
But, as it turns out, my friends and I are far from alone. Most unexpectedly, the internet has been flooded with outpourings of grief for the late Bishop of Rome, not from devotees but from teenagers and 20-somethings of every religion and none.
And no, this is neither an Easter miracle nor a glowing endorsement of the embattled Catholic Church, but rather a reflection of one man's popularity, a man who happened to be Pope.
Isabela, in her mid-twenties, posted a video to TikTok alongside the caption: 'RIP to a legend,' in which she said: 'Say what you want about Pope Francis, it was an absolute baller move... to wait for Jesus to rise from the dead and then die the next day. King.'
Beneath another clip showing the late Pope sliding away from American President Donald Trump, one university student named Chloe commented: 'Bro was plotting his escape,' along with a crying face emoji.
So just why is it that so many young people have been so deeply affected by the death of a man they've never met and who represents an institution they seemingly have little care for?
A former nightclub bouncer who grew up in a deprived South American barrio is hardly the obvious choice to lead the Catholic Church. But then, Francis – who died at the age of 88 – was unlike any of the 265 Popes that came before him.
Yes, every Papal leader dating back to Saint Peter has been famous the world over and their likeness distributed to all four corners of the globe. But Pope Francis had a unique platform – he was the first truly viral Pope.
Whether he was entirely aware of his online infamy or not, Francis was a regular fixture on social media. Notoriously, he was affectionately pranked back in 2023, when AI-generated deepfake images of him in a garish white designer puffer jacket were shared online in which he looked more like a rapper than a faith leader.
But rather than shying away from the internet, Pope Francis actively embraced it, describing it in 2014 as 'a gift from God'.
Although his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI made international headlines when he joined Twitter in 2012, Pope Francis took things up a gear in 2016 when he joined Instagram and became the record holder for the most followers gained in a single day: 1.4million in under 12 hours.
No Pope has courted and enjoyed the love of the internet quite like Francis. Rather than hoping the youth would come to the Church, he took his message to them.
And yet, there was nothing disingenuous about it: 'The world of virtual communication is a good thing,' he declared in 2018.
For a man who wore immaculate, flowing white robes, had an army of guards, owned a fleet of modified bulletproof jeeps and was God's representative on earth responsible for the religious wellbeing of 1.4billion people, Pope Francis was also remarkably relatable.
He grew up a football fanatic and continued supporting his hometown team, San Lorenzo, up until his death. He loved sweets, and had his friends fly over his beloved 'alfajores' chocolate caramels from South America. And far from the cliched depiction of clergy as ascetics, he celebrated his 81st birthday with a 13ft pizza.
He had a strong sense of humour, once smiling gleefully in front of a life-sized statue of himself made from 1.5 tons of cocoa. And, in 2014, he waved as hundreds of well-wishers celebrated his birthday by dancing the tango in St Peter's Square – the Pope's favourite dance and one which he once said 'comes from deep within me'.
In an increasingly secular and cynical world, Pope Francis appealed to young people by admitting that he too was human – God's representative on earth or not.
Perhaps above everything else though, the Pope found legions of fans among 20-somethings because of his radical politics. In a world where the left-leaning ideals favoured by the young are severely underrepresented, Pope Francis was an outlier: a voice of empathy.
Francis emerged out of the Latin American school of 'liberation theology' – an essentially socialist movement that used Catholicism as a vehicle for social justice, particularly in the favelas of South America.
Indeed, Francis – born Jorge Mario Bergoglio – took his Papal name from St Francis of Assisi, who gave up a large inheritance to serve both the poor and the Church.
In keeping with his namesake, rumours swirled in 2013 that Francis was sneaking out of the Vatican late at night to give alms to the poor of Rome.
In an increasingly secular and cynical world, Pope Francis appealed to young people by admitting that he too was human – God's representative on earth or not
Pope Francis was also perhaps the most high-profile figure to speak out against Israel's 'shameful' campaign in Gaza, noting that it bears 'the characteristics of genocide'. At the same time, just 5 per cent of 18-34 year olds think the UK should support Israel's ongoing action which has so far claimed the lives of over 50,000 people – the majority civilians.
The Pope was not just a religious figure, but a political one too. It wouldn't be an unfair comparison to say the love for Pope Francis was in the same mould as that for former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn or US Senator Bernie Sanders. In other words, Francis was a political radical who became a cult figure for a generation of idealistic, angry but ultimately powerless young people.
And certainly, Pope Francis practiced what he preached.
While serving as the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he shunned a number of perks that came with his office, opting to cook his own meals and even taking the bus to work.
On being elected Pope, Francis flew economy class to Rome. It may have been a purely symbolic gesture, but it was mightily effective.
This morning, my friend Halima – who is 25 and about to graduate from university – texted me the words: 'tough act to follow'.
And indeed, following the Pope's funeral this Saturday, attentions will turn to his successor.
While few people can truly say they are well- versed in the composition of the College of Cardinals, it is abundantly clear that this will be a conclave between the right and the left of the Catholic Church – a battle for the soul of the Papacy.
And thanks to the popularity of the late Pope Francis, there are now more than just 1.4billion Catholics waiting in anticipation of that white puff of smoke.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Record

18 minutes ago

• Daily Record

King Charles pays sweet birthday tribute to Prince William

With the Prince of Wales turning 43 today, his father King Charles has paid a touching tribute to his son by posting a picture on social media. To mark the 43rd birthday of the Prince of Wales, King Charles and Queen Camilla shared a touching birthday post on social media this morning. Along with sharing their well wishes for the prince, a picture of Prince William was posted on social media. Shared earlier this year, the image on X showed the 43-year-old wearing a blue shirt and smiling while sitting on a rock wall in the countryside. Many fans of Prince William have commented that the Royal is 'ageing like a fine wine' in the run up to his birthday. ‌ However, many fans of the Royal family are wondering if Prince Harry will be sending his best wishes to mark his older brother's birthday. ‌ Royal fans have also said that they have been delighted to see adorable details emerge about the future king's marriage with Kate Middleton, reports the Mirror. At an event that took place earlier this week, fans were thrilled to see the prince grinning at his wife. Appearing at the Order of the Garter in Windsor on Monday, June 16, the couple were seen to be united as they stunned fans with their gorgeous ensemble. Kate was seen in an all-white Self-Portrait dress and matching wide-brim hat, while William wore dark blue velvet mantles - the insignia of the order- and a distinctive feathered bonnet. In an Instagram post showing the happy couple, the caption read: "A pleasure attending the Order of the Garter today in Windsor. A brilliant celebration of tradition, service and duty. Thank you to everyone involved." ‌ Fans were quick to praise the couple in the comments, as one person wrote: "Those two are aging like a fine wine!" Another fan also noted the look of 'true love' that Princess Kate was giving to her husband. They said: "20+ years & 3 adorable children[...] Catherine only has eyes for Prince William. This is true love." However, not everyone was blown away by the couple and their appearance, as one person remarked: "Lovely. However, William needs gone of that beard. Makes him look old." ‌ Despite this, many fans were highly complimentary, with another person writing: "What a treat for us Royal watchers! Princess Catherine looks absolutely stunning and Prince William as handsome as ever!" While one person added: "Prince William and Princess Catherine look absolutely stunning and majestic!!" ‌ As Prince William turns 43 today, many people have been left speculating if his estranged younger brother, Prince Harry, will also mark the occasion. At the moment it is thought that the brothers are not on speaking terms. Last year, the Royal family took to social media to pay tribute to the Duke of Sussex's 40th birthday. On X, the Royal Family posted a photo with Harry smiling to mark the occasion, writing: "Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!" Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A very similar post was uploaded on William and Kate's social media account. They wrote: "Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!" While it is unknown if Prince Harry will send his regards, the Princess of Wales took to Instagram to post a birthday message for her husband. In the image, the prince is seen to be sat surrounded by gorgeous puppies, with the caption saying: "Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies!"

Daily Mail​

20 minutes ago

• Daily Mail​

Trans women say influencer Lilly Tino's 'rage-baiting' posts are putting them at risk

Trans activist Lilly Contino has been condemned by trans women for putting the already marginalized community at risk of even greater 'harm and malice' by reinforcing negative stereotypes in 'ragebait' clips on TikTok. The most recent controversy stemmed from a viral post that included mirror selfies of the 31-year-old as she 'rated' the women's bathrooms at Disney World in Florida - and has spiraled into a call for Lilly to be 'banned' from TikTok and the amusement park. A petition started by a 'concerned parent' has received over 500,000 signatures at the time of writing, as its creator urged the platform to 'carefully evaluate Lilly Tino's presence' on it. Georgia native Lilly - who was born male - rose to fame in 2022 when she came out on professional networking platform LinkedIn, adding: 'Hey, my name is Lilly and I use she/her'. Since then, she has used her social media platforms - with over half a million followers in total - to document her trans journey, but critics within her own community say the influencer is doing more harm than good. Earlier this month, Lilly found herself at the center of a social media storm after she shared a series of selfies taken inside women's bathrooms at Disney World - forcing trans women to publicly declare 'we do not condone' her behavior. The photographs were uploaded to TikTok and showed the reflection of Lilly - wearing different crop tops and Disney Ears headbands - in different mirrors inside the toilets. In a few snaps, other guests at the amusement park are also visible in the background - with several people calling Lilly out for violating the women's privacy. The TikTok has received over 15 million views and 70,000 comments - most of which are critical - at the time of writing as trans women say it's only the latest example of Lilly's brand of content that prioritizes user engagement over the community's safety. Her detractors argue that Lilly's TikTok presents a warped portrayal of trans women with the sole purpose of gaining views and social media clout - without considering how they might adversely impact their well-being in what is already a hostile environment. Secretly recording waitstaff that 'misgender' at American restaurants, 'sneaking' into women's bathrooms, and using corndogs and cake pops to explain sex modification - while surrounded by children at amusement parks - play into transphobic cliches, it is felt. 'I promise you that trans women do not walk around begging to be misgendered or enter women's spaces with the intent of causing a public disturbance - let alone document it and put it online,' Jade Dugger clarified in a strong reaction video to Lilly's Disney clip. 'Because going into several different women's restrooms and rating them online, taking photos in those restrooms, and posting those photos knowing that there are other women in the background is very predatory behavior that we do not condone.' In response to Lilly's admission she 'peed standing up' at the bathroom at Disney World, influencer Amelia Majesty said 'these videos are rapidly decreasing trans acceptance'. She also blasted the American content creator for suggesting trans women don't need to 'disclose' they've had 'their downstairs done' before getting intimate with a partner, adding: 'What is there to disclose? There's no deception.' Shaking her head in disagreement, Amelia replied: 'Trans women need to disclose they're trans before that happens, this is unacceptable and wrong - and it puts the entire community in danger.' She said Lilly's 'advice' - which was widely discredited in the comments - fuels the 'negative stereotype' that trans women are 'trying to trap men, and that's absolutely not true'. According to another creator Dominque Morgan, is that Lilly is the 'product of TikTok' - and uses sensationalism to drive engagement by cosplaying as children's cartoon characters or exaggeratedly describing how being 'misgendered' created an 'unsafe' or 'threatening' environment. Trans influencer Seana Momsen dismissed Lilly by saying 'I don't think' of her, adding: 'I think she just rage-baits for the views, for the money and she's quite dramatic with her pieces.' Reacting to videos of Lilly expressing profound hurt at being misgendered - including leaving restaurants despite receiving an apology - Seana added that 'we're not at the place where everyone is going to default' to gender-neutral pronouns. Lilly has since addressed the backlash in a separate video - that has been viewed over eight million times - as she doubled-down on her decision to post the bathroom ratings in a statement that, many felt, missed the point. Lilly said bathroom selfies were a common fixture of celebrity's social media profiles as she added: 'And it's not just celebrities. Any woman you ever meet has likely taken a photo in a public bathroom. 'So, what is different about me that I'm not allowed to take bathroom selfies?' She argued that people judge trans women differently 'depending on how well they pass' or whether they 'look trans'. 'I know that I don't pass, trust me I know,' she continued. 'But passing privilege is a real thing. 'There are some trans women out there who will never be able to pass. Do they deserve to be treated differently? No! They should be able to take bathroom selfies too.' She dismissed the privacy concerns in relation to the women that appeared in the background of the now-contentious clips - after some social media users cited the Florida statute 810.145 that prohibits 'digital voyeurism' in places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy like bathrooms. Lilly asserted that 'law only applied to buildings owned or leased' by the state, before adding: 'And even if it wasn't allowed, who cares! Let us tinkle in peace.' Reacting to the statement, TikTok users pointed out celebrity bathroom selfies don't typically 'have people in the background' as they said 'not everything is transphobia'. Lilly's visit to the Happiest Place on Earth has taken on a distinctively unhappy twist in view of the backlash - but the bathroom selfies aren't the only thing people have complained about. She was called out by internet users after she refused to eat her meal at Tiffins Restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park after the waiter accidentally misgendered her. She was eating Tiffins Restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park and the waiter was explaining the first course when he used the male pronoun. Despite the employee instantly apologizing, Lilly explained in her video about the incident that she 'no longer felt safe' at the restaurant. She ultimately decided she didn't want to eat there anymore because she knew she wouldn't 'enjoy' the food with her 'guard up.' The content creator ended up not having to pay for the food or her drink, but the interaction left some viewers disgruntled. In the now-viral video, Lilly was seen sitting at the table as the waiter brought out her first course, the $18 Tiffins Signature Bread Service. But as the waiter was explaining where all the different breads came from, he called Lilly, who was wearing a blue, cropped tank top, white jean shorts, and pink Minnie ears with a bow, 'sir.' 'It's coconut bread from Thailand?' Lilly asked, to which the waiter replied, 'Yes sir.' 'It's ma'am,' Lilly quickly corrected him. 'Ma'am, I'm sorry. My bad sir,' the flustered waiter said. Afterwards, Lilly reflected on the moment to the camera, explaining: 'That totally sucked the joy out of this bread tower.' Controversial: Lilly's interaction with the waiter has since gone viral, gaining million of views on both of her platforms 'It makes me want to immediately leave because I no longer feel safe here. Now my guard has to be up. 'I'm not gonna enjoy this bread as much because my guard is up. We should be able to go places and not have to worry.' The video then cut to Lilly flagging down a waiter, and telling them: 'I don't think I want this bread tower, actually, I'd rather have the check if that's okay. 'I think their training says they're supposed to say "friend" and not used gendered language, it's a pretty big thing that Disney has done,' Lilly told the camera in another clip. 'Nothing was wrong with the bread, I just don't want it anymore. Just because they apologized doesn't mean [I] don't feel sad or offended. 'Have you accidentally ever hurt someone and said, "I'm so sorry, it's an accident?" Do you expect them to be like, "Oh, it was an accident, of course, no problem whatsoever. All of that hurt is now undone." That's not how it works.' It appeared that Lilly didn't have to pay for the uneaten bread or her soda. In one final clip, a staff member at the restaurant was heard apologizing to Lilly once again, before he told her that her drink was 'also on him,' seemingly confirming the bread was free too. 'They meant well but it still hurts,' Lilly captioned the clip. In March 2022, it was announced that Disney World staff members, as well recordings throughout the parks, would no longer include 'gendered greetings' like 'boys and girls' or 'ladies and gentleman.' In December 2022, the same year that Lilly came out, she said that bullies and drug addiction stopped her from realizing her gender for 27 years. It was only when she got clean did she understand her gender identity - after relocating to San Francisco from Atlanta and went to Target to buy a dress and 'put on a wig'. She added: 'It was a bittersweet moment because I thought there's something here, it's the answer to my emptiness and loneliness, I've been living a lie. 'I kept it a secret and I would try on clothes and makeup - it was a cocoon and I was figuring it out on my own.' By December 2020 Lilly was sure of her true identity and knew her name instantly. She said: 'Like many trans people, I'd been playing videogames for years and I would always pick girls and call them Lilly.' She gained a mentor, a trans woman in 2020 called Eve who helped her to discover herself and answer any questions she had. In October 2021, she told her best friends Deborah and Jake on a trip to Atlanta - before coming out to her parents and brother. Lilly started wearing dresses and make-up and was prescribed the hormones spironolactone in May 2021, a male hormone suppressant, progesterone and later oestrogen. She added: 'Taking progesterone helps the boobs and my emotions run hotter. I cry a lot better now.' Lilly worries for trans women who don't have insurance to pay for hormones, and says many are resorting to buying hormones off the black market. She added: 'There is a global shortage of oestrogen and progesterone right now.' Lilly has since undergone FFS - with the influencer revealing her new face on TikTok. In 2023, Lilly revealed she was verbally assaulted at a restaurant in San Francisco while she was dining with her dog at the Cheesecake Factory. In the clip, the woman can be heard describing herself as a TERF - or a trans-exclusionary radical feminist - before threatening Lilly with physical violence.

Daily Mirror

21 minutes ago

• Daily Mirror

David and Victoria Beckham hurt by 'pointed Nicola and Brooklyn's 'pointed' move

The ongoing feud between David and Victoria Beckham and their son Brooklyn is escalating, as friends of the family have slammed Brooklyn's wife Nicola for hurting the family with her 'pointed' moves The ongoing feud between the Beckhams and their son Brooklyn is only escalating, with friends of David and Victoria's reportedly accusing Nicola Peltz of "deliberately" rubbing it in. Brooklyn, 26, and his wife Nicola, 30, have distanced themselves from Victoria and David, following a series of snubs. Although their eldest son Brooklyn and his nepo-baby wife Nicola are keeping quiet on the situation, as are the Beckhams, the couple have been notably absent from a slew of family-centred events and social media posts – or lack thereof – have spoken volumes. The previously close-knit family has gone ahead with events, including David's 50th birthday celebrations and his long-awaited knighthood, but Brooklyn and Nicola have shunned it all by not turning up to events or acknowledging the special occasions on social media. ‌ Meanwhile, the pair have publicly praised Nicola's parents numerous times on social media. Back in April, the couple posted an Easter basket they received from her parents, with the pair issuing a 'thank-you' to them on Instagram – despite Brooklyn completely ignoring his mum on Mother's Day just weeks before. ‌ Father's Day also went without mention from Brooklyn, but Nicola gushed over her father, billionaire businessman and investor Nelson Peltz. According to a friend of the couple, it has been a particularly painful time for the Beckhams. Speaking to the Mail, a source said: "It all feels very pointed. Like Brooklyn and Nicola are deliberately trying to rub David and Victoria's noses in it." Elsewhere, a separate source recently claimed that the Beckhams' attempts to support their kids to stand on their own two feet has been taken as "tight" by the Peltzes. But, after Nicola's parents gifted her money to buy a £10.5 million mansion in Los Angeles, another source stated Victoria is concerned that her son is trapped. An insider said that the family were hoping his move to America wouldn't be "permanent", but their "house purchase quashes any last hopes". And with both Nicola and Brooklyn named on the house, he could find it difficult to up and move. A source told the Mirror: "This house has nothing to do with family dynamics. Both Nicola and Brooklyn's careers are based in Los Angeles, and Brooklyn spent part of his childhood there while his father played for LA Galaxy. ‌ "During that time, he attended school in LA for several years and built a life and friendships in the city. LA has always felt like home to him." But Victoria and David, who both come from working class backgrounds, have always put emphasis on the need for independence. The source added: "When it came to buying this house, of course they weren't just going to hand their son millions of pounds — what sort of message does that send?" ‌ However, a source close to Brooklyn has slammed the claims as "cruel and baseless". They claimed: "It's disappointing—and frankly absurd—that anyone would try to twist Nicola and Brooklyn's marriage, and this meaningful milestone of home ownership, into something toxic. "Their relationship is grounded in love, respect, and commitment. The suggestion that Brooklyn is 'trapped' isn't just false—it's a deliberately cruel and baseless narrative aimed at undermining a strong, loving marriage.'