Pope Leo Is Going Viral For His Very Unexpected University Degree

 

In an age where viral stories span from quirky pet tricks to AI-generated songs, few would have expected the latest internet sensation to be the Pope—let alone a Pope from centuries ago. Yet here we are. Social media is abuzz with surprise and fascination over Pope Leo X, not for his papal reforms or political maneuvers, but for his unexpected university degree: a doctorate in humanist literature and classical poetry.

Yes, you read that right.

While the current Pope Francis is admired for his humility and theological background, it's the Renaissance-era Pope Leo X (born Giovanni di Lorenzo de' Medici) who’s capturing Gen Z’s attention on TikTok, Twitter (now X), and Instagram reels. A 16th-century pontiff with a penchant for the arts and literature, Leo X is being rediscovered—and rebranded—as the “most cultured Pope you’ve never heard of.”

The TikTok That Sparked It All

It began with a TikTok clip by a user named @HistoryHottie, who casually dropped the bombshell in a rapid-fire video: “Did you know Pope Leo X had a degree in classical poetry and Latin rhetoric before he became the Pope? He literally wrote epic verses about Roman heroes. Bro was a full-on poet.”

The video, set to a remixed Gregorian chant and paired with historical memes, quickly amassed over 4 million views in three days. Suddenly, Leo X wasn’t just a footnote in Renaissance history—he was a trending hashtag.

From Scholar to Supreme Pontiff

Born in 1475 into the powerful Medici family of Florence, Giovanni de' Medici was destined for greatness. His family had already produced popes, cardinals, bankers, and patrons of the arts. But what sets Leo X apart is the early and intense emphasis placed on classical education. By age 13, he was appointed a cardinal, but it was his time at the University of Pisa that’s turning heads today.

There, Leo immersed himself in the liberal arts—Latin, Greek, philosophy, and rhetoric. He was especially drawn to studia humanitatis, the Renaissance version of the humanities, which emphasized classical literature, ethics, and eloquence. While theology was the usual route for future popes, Leo X chose to become an expert in Homer, Virgil, and Cicero.

His doctoral work reportedly included original Latin verse that celebrated Roman virtues and heroic deeds—an ironic twist, given the Church’s complex relationship with pagan antiquity at the time.

The Renaissance Pope With a Poet’s Heart

Once Pope, Leo X didn’t abandon his literary passions. In fact, he brought them with him into the Vatican. He transformed the papal court into a haven for artists, scholars, and poets. He commissioned Raphael, supported Michelangelo, and famously said, “Since God has given us the Papacy, let us enjoy it.”

That quote, often interpreted as decadent or careless, has found new life on social media. Some interpret it as the Renaissance equivalent of “living your best life”—especially when paired with Leo X’s scholarly background and artistic pursuits.

His degree in humanist studies, combined with his role as Pope, presents a fascinating contradiction: a religious leader deeply immersed in the secular classics. It's this blend of piety and poetry, dogma and drama, that has made him a compelling character for a generation that loves complexity.

A Meme King in the Making

The internet quickly turned Leo X into a meme sensation. Tweets and posts began circulating:

• “Me, quoting Cicero in a heated group chat like Pope Leo X would’ve wanted.”

• “POV: You’re a Renaissance Pope with a poetry degree and zero chill.”

• “Modern Popes walk. Leo X quotes Virgil and commissions Raphael.”

Fan art has emerged depicting him with sunglasses, quill in hand, lounging in a Renaissance courtyard surrounded by scrolls, sculptures, and sassy angels.

A New Lens on Old History

Historians are cautiously delighted. Dr. Lucia Bernardi, a professor of Renaissance Studies at Oxford, said in a recent interview, “While Leo X has traditionally been criticized for his political and financial missteps, this moment offers a chance to revisit his legacy as a patron of humanism and intellect. His degree symbolizes the Renaissance ideal of the well-rounded individual—someone who blends religious duty with literary flair.”

Even educators are using the viral moment to engage students. Some high school and college teachers have added mini-units on Leo X to courses on the Renaissance or the Reformation, capitalizing on students’ newfound interest.

The Irony of It All

There’s a delicious irony in Leo X going viral now. After all, he was Pope during Martin Luther’s early revolt—a time when the printing press was challenging the Church’s control over information. Today, a different type of mass communication, social media, is breathing new life into his story.

His papacy was marred by financial excesses and political drama, and he was often accused of being more a prince than a pope. Yet it's his intellectual curiosity, not his ecclesiastical failures, that’s being celebrated now. Perhaps that says more about our own values today than his.

Conclusion: Not Just a Pope, But a Persona

In the end, Pope Leo X’s unexpected university degree is more than a fun fact—it’s a portal into a forgotten era when popes could be poets, and the lines between the sacred and the secular were beautifully blurred. Whether you see him as a flawed ruler or a misunderstood genius, one thing is certain: Leo X had range.

So the next time someone mentions a famous university alum, throw in Pope Leo X. After all, how many Renaissance poets can say they also ran the Catholic Church?

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