You’ve probably seen the memes. One minute you're scrolling through TikTok, and the next, there’s a picture of a guy in full papal regalia superimposed over the iconic gates of Parkway Gardens. The caption? Something like "Pope Leo really from the trenches" or "O Block got a Pope before 63rd." It sounds like a bad fever dream or a very specific piece of internet fan fiction.
Honestly, the internet is a wild place. When Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV in May 2025, the world focused on the fact that he was the first-ever American pope. But Chicago had a different reaction. People saw "South Side" and "Chicago native" in his bio and immediately started wondering: is Pope Leo from O Block?
The short answer is no. But the long answer is a fascinating look at how Chicago’s geography, Catholic culture, and drill music memes collided to create one of the strangest viral rumors of 2026.
The "O Block" Connection: Fact vs. Internet Fiction
To understand why people are even asking if Pope Leo is from O Block, you have to look at where he actually grew up. Robert Prevost was born at Mercy Hospital in Bronzeville. For those not from Chicago, Bronzeville is a legendary neighborhood on the South Side, historically known as the "Black Metropolis."
He didn't stay there long, though. His family moved to Dolton, a suburb just south of the city limits, and he spent his formative years in the St. Mary of the Assumption parish.
So, where does "O Block" come in?
O Block—the nickname for the Parkway Gardens apartment complex at 64th and King Drive—is also on the South Side. It’s the birthplace of the drill music scene, made famous by rappers like Chief Keef and the late King Von. Because the media kept reporting that the new Pope was a "South Side Chicagoan," the internet did what it does best: it took the most "South Side" thing it knew (O Block) and mashed it together with the most "Vatican" thing it knew.
Suddenly, you had people unironically asking if the leader of the Catholic Church used to run with the Black Disciples. He didn't. He was busy studying at Villanova and teaching math at Mendel Catholic Prep.
Why the rumors won't die
- The South Side Identity: Pope Leo is vocal about his roots. He’s a White Sox fan who attended the 2005 World Series. That "South Side" label is a badge of honor he wears openly.
- The Meme Economy: Within 12 hours of his election, "Pope Leo O Block" t-shirts were already being sold online.
- Street Legend Imagery: Photos of the Pope in his white cassock standing in front of the South Side skyline look remarkably like a rap album cover.
The Real South Side Story of Robert Prevost
If you want to know the real "street" history of Pope Leo XIV, it involves a lot more textbooks than trap houses. His father, Louis Prevost, was a Navy veteran and a school principal. His mother, Mildred, was a librarian. Basically, he grew up in a household where education and faith were the only games in town.
Before he was heading the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome, he was a substitute teacher at St. Rita of Cascia High School in the Ashburn neighborhood. He taught math and physics. Imagine being a high schooler in Chicago, failing algebra, and your sub is the future Pope.
He also lived in Hyde Park while studying at the Catholic Theological Union. Hyde Park is beautiful, leafy, and home to the University of Chicago—it’s about as far from the "trenches" as you can get while still being on the South Side.
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A Timeline of His Chicago Roots
- 1955: Born at Mercy Hospital, Bronzeville.
- 1960s-70s: Raised in Dolton; attended St. Mary of the Assumption.
- Late 1970s: Returns to Chicago to study at Catholic Theological Union.
- Early 1980s: Ordained as a priest and begins his journey as an Augustinian missionary.
The Pope's Reaction to the "O Block" Memes
Does the Pope know about the O Block rumors? Probably. In October 2025, Leo XIV gave a speech at the Vatican condemning "clickbait" and the "degrading practice" of spreading misinformation online. While he didn't name-drop King Von or Parkway Gardens, he specifically mentioned how AI-generated images and "fake narratives" are used to manipulate public perception.
There are dozens of deepfake videos on YouTube showing him "returning to the hood" or throwing up gang signs. The Vatican’s communication team has been working overtime to scrub these. It’s a losing battle. For every video they take down, three more appear with a drill beat in the background.
What This Means for Chicago in 2026
The "Pope from Chicago" thing isn't just a meme; it’s a massive point of pride for the city. There’s now a Chicago Pope Tour that takes people from Lincoln Park down to the South Side to see his childhood home and the churches where he served.
It’s a bizarre cultural moment. You have Catholic grandmothers visiting St. Rita’s Shrine to pray, while just a few miles away, kids are making TikToks about "Pope Leo, the O Block General."
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The reality is that Pope Leo represents a very different South Side—one of immigrant families, Catholic schools, and working-class grit. His "gang" was the Order of Saint Augustine, and his "turf" was a mission in Peru where he worked for decades.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
- Check the Parish, Not the Block: If you're looking for his real history, research the Augustinians of the Midwest. That’s his real "set."
- Visit the South Side Sites: If you’re in Chicago, skip the Parkway Gardens gates (which is private property anyway) and go to Aurelio’s Pizza in Homewood. It’s confirmed to be his favorite thin-crust spot.
- Verify Your Sources: If you see a video of the Pope talking about "smoking on" anyone, it’s a deepfake. The Vatican's official news site is the only place to get verified quotes.
Pope Leo XIV might be the most "Chicago" person to ever sit on the Chair of Peter, but he’s not from O Block. He’s a kid from Dolton who liked math, the Sox, and serving his community. That might not make for a viral rap lyric, but it's a hell of a story for a guy now leading 1.3 billion people.
Next Steps for Readers:
To verify the authentic biography of Pope Leo XIV, consult the official Vatican News archives or the Archdiocese of Chicago historical records. If you are interested in the physical landmarks of his upbringing, the St. Rita of Cascia Shrine on Western Avenue offers public tours that detail his time as a teacher in the city.