Pope Leo XIV announcement prompts Mel Kiper Jr. jokes about Shedeur Sanders

On Thursday, Pope Leo XIV was named the new Pope. 

Of course, the "Pick is in" joke was a big one. Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders also was the subject of a joke since the Pope got chosen quicker than he was selected in the NFL Draft. 

Speaking of the NFL Draft and Sanders, ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. also became the subject of some joking. 

During the 2025 NFL Draft, Kiper was stunned time and time again with Sanders falling out of the first round, then the second, third and even fourth round before finally hearing his name called on Day 3. 

So, when the Pope decision came, Kiper saw his name surface on social media. 

"Whoever the new pope is, Mel Kiper will be furious it's not Shedeur Sanders," Stewart Mandel of The Athletic wrote. 

That was just the start of the jokes. 

"Is Mel Kiper Jr. gonna be okay when the new pope isn’t Shedeur?" wrote another. 

"Somewhere, Mel Kiper is angry that Shedeur Sanders was passed over to be the next pope. (Probably)" joked another. "Somewhere Mel Kiper is FURIOUS that Shedeur Sanders has not been chosen as the new Pope," another posted.

"Update: The new Pope was drafted on day . Shedeur Sanders was drafted on day . Rumor has it that Mel Kiper has said the Papal Conclave has been clueless for 50 years when it comes to evaluating Popes," another wrote. 

It was a common joke on social media, and fans didn't forget Kiper's anger when Sanders got passed on during the draft again and again. 

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