Key Takeaways:
- A Reddit user got Pope Leo to autograph a Popplio Pokémon card, sparking viral memes.
- The card’s humor stems from Popplio’s overlooked status in the TCG world.
- While fans suggest grading the card, its owner prefers to preserve it unaltered.
A Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) fan has stunned the internet by getting Pope Leo to autograph a Popplio card — a surreal event that has taken the Pokémon community by storm. While autographed cards are nothing new, this unexpected crossover between religion and gaming has created a wave of memes and intrigue, especially given Popplio’s underdog status in the franchise.
Pokémon TCG’s Autograph Trend Takes a Holy Turn
Autographed cards have become a niche part of the Pokémon TCG world. Although The Pokémon Company introduced stylized Trainer-signed cards in the 2023 Crown Zenith expansion, many fans felt the effort lacked authenticity. Instead of featuring real artist or voice actor signatures, the cards came with printed imitations. Some collectors, however, have taken matters into their own hands — literally — by asking celebrities to sign their favorite cards.
One such collector, a Reddit user named ReptileCake, recently shared images of Pope Leo signing a Popplio card. The moment, reportedly captured during a public appearance, has sparked widespread amusement and curiosity.
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“Pope and Popplio”: A Meme is Born
While Popplio may be a solid choice in the Sun and Moon games, it hasn’t exactly dominated in the competitive TCG scene. This made it the perfect subject for meme-worthy commentary after the Pope’s signature. Jokes dubbing Popplio the “Holy Pokémon” have exploded across social media, and some fans are even speculating about its newfound collector value.
Despite the hype, the card’s owner has no intention of getting it professionally graded. “It’s more about the story than the value,” said ReptileCake, who worries that the grading process might damage the card.
Did Pope Leo Know What He Was Signing?
The authenticity of the signature has been supported by photos showing Pope Leo holding a marker while ReptileCake presents the card. Some speculate that the Pope — known for enjoying games like Wordle — might have intentionally engaged with the fan’s request. Whether or not he recognized the significance of Popplio remains unclear, but the gesture has cemented its place in TCG lore.
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