A strange and fascinating pattern connecting the election of new Popes in Vatican City to the fortunes of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks has captured the imagination of football and trivia fans alike. An Instagram account named "true.catholics" recently highlighted this incredible timeline, suggesting that every time a new Pope is chosen, the Seattle Seahawks find themselves in contention for the Super Bowl.
The Unlikely Timeline: Papal Elections and Seahawks' Glory
The connection first emerged in 2005. That year, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected as Pope Benedict XVI following the passing of Pope John Paul II. Coincidentally, the Seattle Seahawks, under head coach Mike Holmgren, stormed through the regular season with a 13-3 record, securing the NFC's top seed. They defeated the Washington Redskins and Carolina Panthers in the playoffs to reach Super Bowl XL, where they ultimately fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The pattern grew stronger in 2013. Pope Benedict XVI resigned, a historic event, and Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis. That same NFL season, the Seahawks didn't just reach the Super Bowl; they dominated it. Led by quarterback Russell Wilson and coach Pete Carroll, the team's legendary "Legion of Boom" defense powered them to a resounding 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII, securing the franchise's first Lombardi Trophy.
2025: History Aligns for a Third Act
In a remarkable twist of fate, history has lined up once again. In April 2025, following the passing of Pope Francis, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first Pope born in the United States. Simultaneously, the Seattle Seahawks have completed an outstanding 2025 regular season with a 14-3 record, clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the fourth time in franchise history.
The team's success is largely attributed to its formidable defense, orchestrated by head coach Mike Macdonald. According to analysis, the Seahawks finished the regular season with the NFL's top scoring defense, allowing only 17.2 points per game. Macdonald, known for creating complex and chaotic defensive schemes, has successfully transplanted his philosophy from the Baltimore Ravens to Seattle, giving them a significant postseason advantage.
Coincidence or Destiny? The League Watches
As noted by fans like Kole Musgrove on social media platform X, the sequence is undeniable: a new Pope in 2005 led to a Seahawks Super Bowl appearance; a new Pope in 2013 brought a Super Bowl win. Now, with a new Pope in 2025 and the Seahawks back at the top of the league, the sports world is watching to see if this uncanny pattern will hold for a third consecutive time.
The Seahawks' previous No. 1 seeds came in 2005, 2013, and 2014, with their sole championship win occurring in the 2013 season—the last time a new Pope was elected. Whether this is a mere statistical coincidence or a slice of sporting destiny, Seahawks fans are undoubtedly hoping that the rise of white smoke over the Vatican once again signals a rise in their Lombardi Trophy hopes.
