In a stunning turn of events that has left both the faithful and the irreverent giggling, the Vatican has officially embraced the art of social media, launching a new initiative called "Heavenly High-Fives." This movement has sparked an online frenzy as Pope Francis was spotted giving virtual high-fives to unsuspecting followers during the weekly papal audience. Reports are flooding in that these digital gestures are not only bringing joy but are also going viral faster than a cat meme at a Sunday family gathering. The initiative began as a lighthearted attempt to reach younger generations and reconnect with the digital age, but it quickly spiraled into a global phenomenon reminiscent of the Ice Bucket Challenge — now with added divine approval. A spokesperson for the Holy See humorously noted, "We saw the success of these online challenges and thought, why not? If David Beckham can earn likes for a simple thumbs up, imagine the engagement potential of a celestial high-five!" The Pope, donning his best white robes and a grin that could rival Santa Claus, was seen on live stream enthusiastically extending his hand toward the camera, a holy spark of joy lighting up the Vatican. Initially, the act was met with bemused confusion, but it didn’t take long for it to catch on. Followers reported that their smartphones vibrated with feeling every time they shared the video, causing many to wonder if the Pope had unwittingly become the first Rise-and-Grind influencer of the Catholic Church. Memes began to flood social media within minutes. One particularly popular image depicted the Pope wearing sunglasses and a backwards cap, captioned "Holy Vibes Only!" Meanwhile, Twitter exploded with hashtags such as #PapalPaws, #DivineDaps, and #SaintlySlaps, causing some conservative members of the clergy to clutch their rosaries in disbelief. Skeptics have raised eyebrows at the Vatican’s newfound obsession with trending social media, with one anonymous theologian commenting, "I used to think the Holy Spirit was the inspiration for my sermons; now I wonder if it’s just my Wi-Fi connection." Nonetheless, church attendance saw a massive uptick, with people claiming they simply could not resist the Pope’s charismatic online presence. The Vatican noted a 200% increase in visitors trying to recreate the divine high-five in person, leading to chaotic scenes at St. Peter's Square, where excited parishioners started an impromptu "High-Five Parade." As with any rapidly spreading trend, parody accounts have emerged. One particularly hilarious page labeled “HolyDaps” has amassed thousands of followers, posting comedic drawings of saints engaging in high-fiving competitions, complete with a bracket system to determine the heavenly champion. In the spirit of the initiative, the Vatican has also introduced official merchandise, including "Heavenly High-Five" t-shirts, prayer candles featuring dapper high-fiving angels, and a collectable series of holy cards with the Pope doing various poses — including, yes, a high-five. Critics argue that this trend trivializes spiritual practices, while supporters insist that the Vatican has finally found a way to break down the age-old barrier between saints and social media. “If the Pope can make me feel closer to God and give me a boost of self-esteem, I’m all in for those virtual high-fives,” said one ecstatic fan who has claimed to have received five high-fives from the Saint of Twitter. As "Heavenly High-Fives" continues to soar, many wonder where the Vatican will head next. Rumors abound about a TikTok dance challenge, potentially involving choreography with animated cherubs. Wherever this divine journey leads, one thing is for certain: heavenly or not, the Pope knows how to keep it trending.