Pope Leo XIV’s unusual claim: most hotdogs eaten

Pope Leo XIV may be the pontiff who ate the most hotdogs in history, though only with mustard and ketchup

A lighthearted claim circulating online suggests that Pope Leo XIV may hold an unusual and unofficial distinction as the pope who has eaten more hotdogs than any other pontiff but only under very specific conditions: with mustard and ketchup. While this isn’t a documented historical achievement, the idea has picked up steam on social platforms as users playfully debate how many hotdogs the modern pope might have enjoyed based on travel, appearances and cultural moments.

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In a newly unearthed video, Pope Leo confirms that he only eats hot dogs with mustard, not ketchup.

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Traditionally, popes are better known for their theological leadership and global diplomacy rather than their food preferences. There is little serious reporting on the specific eating habits or favourite snacks of recent pontiffs, and official Vatican communications rarely entertain such personal details. In this case, the hotdog claim is very much a humorous aside, part of an online culture that delights in imagining famous figures in everyday scenarios.

Despite its humorous tone, the notion raises broader questions about how modern audiences relate to public figures and the whimsy that accompanies internet commentary. Celebrities, politicians and religious leaders alike often have memes or playful “facts” attached to their names that have no official basis but spread nonetheless because they capture people’s imagination.

For the Vatican and its followers, food is traditionally a more serious matter — reflecting regional Italian cuisine and centuries-old cultural practices. Mustard and ketchup-topped hotdogs are hardly emblematic of papal culinary heritage, which leans more toward classic Mediterranean dishes. That contrast is part of what makes the hotdog-claim joke land with many observers.