Pope Leo XIV Joins Viral Trend: The ‘6-7’ Meme

In a surprising moment, Pope Leo XIV learned the viral ‘6-7’ hand motion, capturing the attention of many, especially among younger Catholics. This incident took place when Don Roberto Fiscer, a 49-year-old priest from Genoa, led a group of children at St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday. Fiscer asked the Pope about the popular gestures among kids. The children enthusiastically responded with ‘6-7!’ while performing the hand motion that is part of the meme. Amused, the Pope imitated their gesture, joining in the fun.

The idea behind teaching the Pope this gesture was to foster a sense of closeness between him and the children. Fiscer explained, ‘Since the pope is one of us, and we greet each other like this, he should learn this greeting too.’ He emphasized its significance as a common way kids interact globally.

What Does ‘6-7’ Mean?

For adults perplexed by the phrase ‘6-7,’ the meaning might disappoint: it means nothing specific. It references a meme, appealing to kids for its simple repetition. The phrase stems from a drill rap song ‘Doot Doot’ by Skrilla, where the lyric ‘six-seven’ features prominently.

The audio from this song was incorporated into a TikTok video referencing LaMelo Ball’s height, comparing his movements to someone shorter, followed by the ‘6-7’ chorus. Young basketball fans then added a hand gesture to the meme, and it gained popularity among Generation Alpha, marked by those born from 2010 onward.

The meme serves as a group identifier for this youth generation, enhancing its fun appeal for them. Conversely, it has been a source of confusion for parents and educators worldwide.

A Nail in the Coffin for ‘6-7’?

As adults began to discuss and adopt ‘6-7,’ its allure to the younger crowd started to wane. Amy Poehler remarked on her podcast that the meme was no longer popular, suggesting a decline in usage.

Since Pope Leo XIV participated in the ‘6-7’ gesture, its engagement with a wider audience, including elders, signals its fading status among Gen Alpha. The meme’s novelty and mystery seem to have been exhausted, making room for new trends to emerge.