Every time a New Pope is elected, the Seattle Seahawks end up in the Super Bowl territory

An Instagram account called “true.catholics” recently shared a mindboggling fact about the connection between Rome’s Vatican City and the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. They wrote: “It sounds like a meme, but the timeline is wild: every time the Vatican elects a new pope, the Seahawks somehow find themselves right back in Super Bowl territory.In 2005, a new pope is chosen and Seattle storms to a No. 1 seed and a Super Bowl appearance. In 2013, another pope is elected—and the Seahawks don’t just return, they dominate and lift the Lombardi.Now in 2025/2026, history lines up again: new pope, Seattle back at the top, and the league watching to see if the pattern holds. Coincidence or destiny, Seahawks fans have learned one thing—when white smoke rises, Lombardi hopes rise with it.”In 2005, the Seahawks were an NFC champion. They defeated the Washington Redskins in the Divisional Playoffs by 20-10 and the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship by 34-14. They reached the Super Bowl territory but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers by 10-21. The head coach was Mike Holmgren, general manager was Tim Ruskell, and their regular season record was 13-3. The same year, a New Pope was elected for Vatican City in Rome, Italy. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger took the name Pope Benedict XVI and succeeded Pope John Paull II after his passing in April 2005. His Holiness was the first German Pope in over 1,000 years. His Holiness served till February 28, 2013, and became the first Pope to resign in nearly 600 years.His Holiness resigned at the age of 85, citing a progressive decline in strength. His Holiness held the title of “Pope Emeritus” after a historic resignation as head of the Catholic Church in 2013. The 265th Pope passed away at the age of 95 on December 31, 2022. In 2013, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected on the fifth ballot among 115 Cardinal Electors. His Holiness chose the Papal Name “Pope Francis” to honor St. Francis of Assisi. His Holiness was the first Jesuit Pope in history.The same year, the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl. They did not just make an appearance but won the Lombardi Trophy. The winning team included quarterback Russell Wilson, head coach Pete Carroll, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, general manager John Schneider, and defensive quality control Robert Saleh. The Seahawks won the Divisional Playoffs against the New Orleans Saints by a score of 23-15. They won the NFC Championship against the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 23-17. They won Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos by a score of 43-8.History is about to repeat itself for the third time. The Seattle Seahawks have a 14-3 season record for 2025.According to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic, Seattle may win the Super Bowl because of its impeccable defense.The Seahawks finished the regular season with the NFL’s top scoring defense by points allowed [17.2] for the first time in 2015. They also have the league’s best defensive unit by points per drive [1.48] and EPA per play. Head coach Mike Macdonald was hired partly for his defensive mind.In 2023, his former team, the Baltimore Ravens, had the league’s best defense and created so much chaos on each snap that the opposing team felt there were more than 11 players on the gridiron. He re-created this in Seattle.When the Legion of Boom [Seattle Seahawks’ nickname] seldom disguised coverages and relied on a few core-defensive looks to challenge opponents, Macdonald’s defense stood out by mastering multiplicity. The Seahawks might win the Super Bowl because of it.They currently hold the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the fourth time in franchise history; the others were 2005, 2013, and 2014. They won the Lombardi Trophy only in 2013.In April 2025, His Holiness Pope Francis passed away, and His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost, became head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City. His Holiness is the first Pope born in the U.S. His Holiness is a dual citizen of Peru and the United States. His Holiness earned a Doctor of Canon Law degree in 1987. His Holiness is of French, Spanish, Italian, and Louisiana Creole descent.Kole Musgrove of The Seahawks Wire recently reported on X,“2005: a new Pope is elected, the Seahawks win 13 games and advance to the Super Bowl2013: a new Pope is elected, the Seahawks win 13 games and advance to the Super Bowl (and win)2025: a new Pope is elected, the Seahawks win 13 games, and…? 👀.” Will they win the Super Bowl this year? Only time will tell...Also Read: “Rookie mistake”: Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson gave an absolute gift of a 6-pointer touchdown to the Seattle Seahawks