During a recent gathering at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV learned the viral ‘6-7’ gesture from young Catholics. The moment highlighted generational connections through internet trends.
Don Roberto Fiscer, a 49-year-old priest from Genoa, Italy, and a known Catholic influencer, led children preparing for confirmation. When Pope Leo XIV visited, Fiscer asked, “What is it that you kids do?” The children responded with the ‘6-7’ gesture, shouting the associated phrase. Amused, the Pope mimicked their actions, saying, “6-7.”
Fiscer mentioned the gesture aimed to bridge generational gaps. He stated, “Since the pope is one of us, and we greet each other like this, he should learn this greeting too.” This attempt to connect reflects how global youth, especially those under 16, engage with memes as communal ties.
Understanding the ‘6-7’
For those curious about the meaning of “6-7,” the answer is simple: the phrase means nothing. It references a drill rap song, ‘Doot Doot’ by Skrilla, repeatedly using “six-seven.” This audio gained traction in a TikTok clip referencing NBA player LaMelo Ball’s height, sparking hand gesture addition among basketball fans. As a trend, it appeals strongly to Gen Alpha, those born from 2010 onwards.
The ‘6-7’ meme became a youthful badge, yet proved challenging for adults to understand. The trend seems to wane as older generations discuss it.
The Meme’s Decline
The popularity of ‘6-7’ declined as adults attempted to dissect or join the trend. Known celebrities like Amy Poehler noted its fade in public discourse. With Pope Leo XIV engaging with ‘6-7’, the meme may finally reach its cultural saturation point, losing its allure for Gen Alpha.
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