Pope Leo does viral '6-7' trend. See the video

From middle school classrooms to the walls of the Vatican, there's no escaping the "six-seven" phenomenon. Even for the pope himself.

Pope Leo XIV participated in the viral "6-7" trend at the urging of a group of youngsters inside the Vatican on May 16.

"6-7" (also "six-seven" and "67"), is a slang phrase popularly used by Gen Alpha.

While some interpret the phrase to mean "so-so" or "maybe this, maybe that," it is also used as an exclamation, according to a news release from Dictionary.com, which selected the term as its World of the Year in 2025.

Watch video of Pope Leo doing '6-7' trend

While greeting people gathered inside the Vatican on May 16, Leo met a group of children who declared, "Six seven." They also did the accompanying hand movement  – holding both hands palm up and moving them up and down, like weighing two objects – that has become synonymous with the phrase.

After a moment of hesitation, Leo repeated after the children, even doing the hand gesture. The children celebrated with applause as the pontiff continued to the next patrons.

A video from the encounter, which was posted to TikTok by user Don Roberto Fiscer, has been viewed more than 23 million times as of May 18.

What does '6-7' mean?

"Six-seven" is a slang term used by school-aged children around the world.

The phrase has become more of a viral refrain that a word with meaning, though some interpret it to mean "so-so" or "maybe this, maybe that," according to a news release from Dictionary.com.

"It’s part inside joke, part social signal and part performance," Steve Johnson, director of lexicography for the Dictionary Media Group at IXL Learning said in a news release. "When people say it, they’re not just repeating a meme; they’re shouting a feeling. It’s one of the first Words of the Year that works as an interjection – a burst of energy that spreads and connects people long before anyone agrees on what it actually means."

The origins of "6-7" appear to stem from the song "Doot Doot," released by rapper Skrilla in December 2024.

In the song, Skrilla sings, "The way that switch, I know he dyin'. 6-7. I just bipped right on the highway."

According to Know Your Meme, a database for memes and internet slang, some people say "6-7" in the song is in reference to 67th Street, perhaps in Philadelphia, where Skrilla is from.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].