According to TikTok, the Pope will reincarnate into Trisha Paytas' son

"They don’t know it yet, but they’re about to reincarnate as Trisha Paytas’s children": this was the caption of an old video where Pope Francis shakes hands with Queen Elizabeth during one of their meetings, chosen by a user to spread a meme that, within just a few hours, gained over a million likes. But what’s going on? Let’s take it step by step.

The Death of Pope Francis Becomes a Meme

The recent passing of Pope Francis shocked the world. However, in a culture where meme culture drives the algorithms, the news became intertwined with a viral phenomenon that’s as bizarre as it is unexpected. YouTuber Trisha Paytas, known for her eccentric personality and frequent pregnancies, became the center of a reincarnation theory that quickly took over social media. According to this theory, Paytas's unborn child would be the reincarnation of the Pope. On her podcast "Just Trish", Paytas herself expressed shock and confusion at these speculations, calling the idea of linking the Pope's death to her pregnancy—due in July 2025—completely absurd. “I don’t understand why my womb is carrying all these souls,” she said, referencing previous viral theories that claimed she was the mother of the reincarnations of Queen Elizabeth II and later King Charles III. The origin of this meme lies in coincidental timing that fueled the internet’s imagination. In September 2022, Paytas announced slight dilation during her first pregnancy, and the next day, Queen Elizabeth II passed away. Similarly, news of her second pregnancy came just before the announcement of King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis. These coincidences, though entirely random, sparked a wave of online frenzy, portraying Paytas as a kind of “portal” for the reincarnation of global public figures.

Who Is Trisha Paytas?

Trisha Paytas built her fame primarily through YouTube. Her online journey began in 2007, initially with content dedicated to director Quentin Tarantino, and evolved over time into vlogs focused on fashion, beauty, and relationship advice. Over the years, Paytas has constantly reinvented herself and captivated her audience through various formats, including “mukbang” videos (where she eats large quantities of food while engaging with the camera) and music videos, some of which even made it onto the Billboard charts. Her career, however, hasn’t been without controversy: Paytas has often been at the center of heated discussions for her polarizing opinions, her identity shifts (including a brief period in 2019 where she identified as a trans man, later revised to identify as non-binary using all pronouns), and her public feuds with other internet personalities. This ability to spark conversation—often through provocative content—has helped keep her relevant in the fast-moving world of social media, where she now boasts millions of followers and billions of views. She has also pursued a music career and made appearances in television, films, and music videos, demonstrating a versatility that positions her as one of the most unique and talked-about figures in today’s digital landscape.

Trisha Paytas’s Reaction and a Small Reflection

Trisha’s response to the reincarnation theories was a mix of disbelief and amusement. While acknowledging the humorous aspect of the meme, she expressed concern over how easily people believe in such theories. According to TikTok, the new generations have earned a reputation as "those who can never take things seriously—even in the face of tragedy or natural disaster." We’ve seen young users lipsyncing during the wildfires in Los Angeles, dancing as hurricanes raged around them, and so on. The Paytas episode raises an important question: is it right to make jokes about the death of a significant figure like the Pope? In an era where memes and conspiracy theories spread rapidly, it's essential to consider the impact these narratives have on our perception of reality. Trivializing major events, like the death of a religious leader, can lead to a distortion of understanding and a loss of respect for the gravity of such events. While social media offers a space for humor and creativity, we must reflect on the ethical implications and potential harm that spreading this kind of content can cause. The line between humor and disrespect is thin, and the case of Trisha Paytas and the Pope meme invites us to consider where that line should be drawn. Still, some defend the trend, waving the flag of black humor—something that has always existed and been appreciated.