Why Circus Jugglers Played Megalovania for Pope Francis

2022 has barely started and already Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, has already watched circus jugglers perform in time to Megalovania from Toby Fox's Undertale. This is clearly going to be a weird year.
The Pope and Undertale first crossed paths when MatPat of Game Theory fame gifted the Father of the Catholic Church a copy of the game. MatPat's reasoning was that this was a game about compassion, friendship, and kindness - and he assumed that the Pope would probably not undertake a Genocide Route playthrough.
Now, thanks to the Rony Roller Circus troupe, the Pope has been publicly exposed to Undertale yet again, and an aging meme has been resurrected. This video endeavours to explain exactly why this happened.
We're still sick, but we're doing our best. Apologies if this video isn't up to our usual standards. Not that our usual standards are all that great either!
Lots of love,
BretonStripes ( / bretonstriped ) and Matthew ( kotorcomics)
Sources:
aleteia.org/2022/01/05/beauty...
www.patheos.com/blogs/through...
apnews.com/article/e2a1f3c280...
www.ronyroller.it/
ronyroller...

[@authorlacey]

I wonder if Toby knows about this, he probably does but it's funny to think of his expression when finding out that the Pope heard his song for a Christmas performance XD

[@jebronlames987]

He… obviously does if he licensed out the song to the circus…

[@starsandsus3725]

Who's Toby?

[@authorlacey]

@@starsandsus3725 Toby Fox created Undertale 👍

[@jiayinxx]

@@starsandsus3725 Toby nuts

[@The_Squill07]

@@jiayinxx .... Are you trying to make a Deez nuts joke?

[@FelisBX7]

If I had a nickel for every time something Undertale related happened to the Pope, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.

[@droidy365]

@@DamageMaximo It's a Doofenshmirtz quote. Even the very first comment to say this was stolen.

[@yeetlydeet8282]

WHAT WAS THE OTHER THING

[@robertoxlnubillux8964]

@@DamageMaximo so what

[@BlueSoulGamer]

@@DamageMaximo ironically, your comment is even more unoriginal. Do you know how many people have said those two words? Like thousands of people.

[@micropizza2104]

@@droidy365 no its from phieneas

[@Interesting_Failure]

Theory: They thought it unlikely that the pope would have gone looking for the OST online...so if he recognized the song, it would mean he'd played the omnimurder route in the copy MatPat gave him.

[@stephenquinn3447]

He went on a crusade

[@amog8202]

Holy hell

[@declinedyt5565]

Holy war

[@CG64Mushro0m]

“Omnimurder” you mean “genocide” ?

[@declinedyt5565]

@@CG64Mushro0m think so

[@l3nsman]

What's scary about this, is that for the pope to have heard Megalovania, he must have gone on the genocide path at least once

[@victor_silva6142]

DEUS VULT?

[@declinedyt5565]

Crusader time

[@yeoldeseawitch]

its the Albigensian crusade all over again...

[@orlandofurioso7329]

Just pretend monsters are Elohims

[@dumpsockpuppet5619]

He is finishing what the humans in the UT world started ages ago

[@ryan_0000]

This just feels like a meme title like “they did surgery on a grape” “They played Megalovania to the Pope”

[@minermole101]

No worries. This Catholic is not offended. Also, this performance was gold!

[@De-Nigma]

As a further Catholic, I third this approval.

[@classicgalactic9283]

@@De-Nigma As another Catholic, I fourth this approval

[@ivysaur2thefirst]

@@classicgalactic9283 as yet another Catholic, I fifth this

[@R64GreatDays]

As an additional Catholic, I sixth this approval.

[@joseloera5849]

As another catholic, I seventh this approval

[@_pitako]

1:27 Can we just address the fact he drew one of the few characters without arms juggling? Like, that's either a hilarious ironic mistake, or a clever intentional ironic choice. Either way, I love it

[@itsoracle]

obviously intentional

[@TheAdvertisement]

@@itsoracle very obviously

[@MrMoron-qn5rx]

And the 1 character defeated twice by heat/fire is firebreathing... they knew

[@zeo4481]

It's funny how much more work Toby put into songs like ; ,, Undertale" ,,Hopes and Dreams" ,, Finale" ,,But the Earth refused to die" ,,Pandora Palace" ,,Attack of the killer Queen" ,,Big Shot" etc etc etc. And Megalovania is over here being him screaming out nonsense into a microphone - recording it and turning it into a song and its by FFAAAAARRR his most popular. 😂

[@gjk-arts5855]

You basically just listed all my favorite songs :]

[@shoeofobama6091]

megalovania isnt tobys song though its basically a remix of the original

[@symphonyoforder]

@@shoeofobama6091 A remix of the original, yes, but the original was also made by Toby. And so were the Homestuck and Smash Ultimate versions.

[@shoeofobama6091]

@@symphonyoforder oh were they

[@Robot2wq]

I know this isn't trying to berate megalovania, and yes, the other songs listed deserve credit as well, but you say this like Megalovania doesn't have more history then the other tracks listed.

[@samboi123]

Oh, to have the absolute *balls* Mat must’ve had to give the POPE a copy of Undertale

[@robbieaulia6462]

Then once Deltarune is completed he'll give the Pope a copy aswell

[@samboi123]

@@robbieaulia6462 oh boy

[@rompevuevitos222]

It's the pope, not the president lol You're not gonna get shunned or get called by the CIA if you gift him a video game Also this pope is one of the most chill ones in a while

[@samboi123]

@@rompevuevitos222 then his reputation precedes him

[@erikmccowen]

​@@robbieaulia6462The first Deltarune theme played in front of the pope better be BIGSHOT

[@mrcheese6841]

Megalovania is Everywhere on the Internet. None can escape Toby’s Amazing Music.

[@sprungle]

Litterally every other undertale song is better imo lol

[@Epicfellsans]

@@sprungle impossible

[@sprungle]

@@Epicfellsans you'll get it when you're in the community long enough (especially the fan music side)

[@zeo4481]

@@sprungle Yea it's funny how much more work Toby put into songs like ; ,, Undertale" ,,Hopes and Dreams" ,, Finale" ,,But the Earth refused to die" ,,Pandora Palace" ,,Attack of the killer Queen" ,,Big Shot" etc etc etc. And Megalovania is over here being him screaming out nonsense into a microphone - recording it and turning it into a song and its by FFAAAAARRR his most popular. 😂

[@Epicfellsans]

@@sprungle I’ve been a fan of Undertale for a long time and I never heard anyone joke about that and at least at my memory

[@tacticaljunk1608]

Not even the pope is safe from being overexposed to Undertale.

[@itsoracle]

I wouldn't call twice over exposure

[@omzcore]

@@itsoracle twice is a lot for someone like the pope

[@beastlylordhorse3612]

“As my gift to the Pope, I gave him a copy of Undertale”

[@Lugmillord]

So the reason is "Megalovania slaps so hard". Cant argue against that.

[@eldartaghiyev8422]

I never knew Matpat gived a copy of undertale to the pope. Edit: was the copy of undertale the PC version?

[@daisana]

Matpat has a video about it

[@arurramoon1965]

HE DOES!

[@Apersonl0l]

He got granted meme immortality thanks to it and it’s product

[@prolmandabeast6192]

And I always knew.

[@gacd2104]

To the guy who decided to put Megalovania: If you're watching this, God bless you!

[@CardiacYew-xt5zq]

That would be Matpat. . . I think

[@andricode]

Side note: If it's MatPat, remove the blessing

[@CardiacYew-xt5zq]

@@andricode bruuuuh what's with the matpat hate

[@madztheidiot]

@@CardiacYew-xt5zq we may never know.

[@Lol-sv1zy]

@@elbob9811 his theories ain’t even dumb lol

[@gots0359]

Now we lack only one thing: rickroll the Pope.

[@JocaPlays87]

If that happens me my shoes eat will

[@bluekirby_64]

@@JocaPlays87 Poor Will

[@Po_ke_girl]

@@bluekirby_64 this entire reply section is gold

[@screm5514]

If that shoes will happens eat my me

[@youraveragejoe3349]

If I'll that shoes eat my happens

[@LaggingLeland]

No way I got featured again 0:02 XD I'm Spamton level famous now :D

[@HybridAngelZero]

Toby, composing a song for an Earthbound ROMHack: "I hope the Pope gets to hear this one day"

[@SSM24_]

Yeah that was definitely one thing I noticed while I was watching the performance - minor existential crisis aside, the song legitimately fit well with the performance.

[@AgainWhy]

Pope be like: whoa is that funny skeleton matpat told me about?

[@sergeantsquishy]

I wish it were more widely known that Megalovania is actually not an Undertale original song, rather it is an updated rendition of a previously released song of the same name in Toby’s Earthbound Halloween Hack. Still, very cool it got such public exposure.

[@leedlelel2373]

Everyone knows it, but megalovania was clearly the intention here

[@REALPEDROGAMEPLAYS]

That and Homestuck, among others which I may add to this

[@SSM24_]

It was very clearly specifically the Undertale version either way, though - Undertale's rendition is relatively distinct in its composition compared to the earlier versions of the song.

[@yeoldeseawitch]

@@SSM24_ its different enough from the undertale version, however, that ive given it a special name: Megalovatican

[@ryanwill32]

@@yeoldeseawitch from what I've heard, it's a mix of the undertale and homestuck versions, having bits that were unique to one or the other.

[@WizyPlayz]

The Pope accepts anything Even the bad times The number one reason why i do respect Pope Francis

[@NightStormFox]

I recently had a survey ask me about this video, and one of it's questions asked me "if it related to my life goals, long lasting joy, etc". And while I wouldn't call the video "life changing that brought me ever lasting joy", I appreciate the video and all of what VGST has brought to us with their sincere care given to the content and it's presentation. As an open statement, I would like it to be known that VGST is a vital part of KZbin and their continued commitment to their channel is in fact a contributing factor to adding joy to my day when I see content they've created. Thank you VGST for your wholesome creations.

[@SwampThing585]

I feel like Bonetrousle would be a better fit for a juggling preformance.

[@Scruffi]

Hope you both feel very better very soon!

[@Eichro]

Pope Francis be like "why do these 'Undertale' kids keep haunting me"

[@arttukettunen5757]

I do wonder if the Pope knows the context of the song. I mean, it's possible. Multiple times more than any other Pope, not just becuase he owns a copy of the game

[@rob_olmstead]

The audience looked like a chaotic talent show which prise was a seat in Heaven.

[@DauntlessBlade___]

I hope you both get well soon ❤

[@anonymone453]

Didn't have *that* on my 2022 bingo card.

[@thedraftingax5963]

Pope is awesome for doing something like that!

[@cobalt7248]

I've heard of all of this happening, I thought it was hilarious. The performance was golden!

[@hunterloquendero204]

What a explanation, and a great video with pretty, cute and fun drawings. Love it! 💕

[@miketacos9034]

This sounds like the title of a YTP.

[@charlesritzmusic]

Great video! Wanted to add for those unaware that the version of MEGALOVANIA performed for the Pope was actually from a performance by video game big band ConSoul. It was from their show at MAGFest 2019 (available on youtube) and it slaps!!

[@TheAdvertisement]

2:16 I can't believe it. While you wouldn't really know it unless you've analyzed Toby Fox's music, a lot of his songs in Undertale especially battles themes, tend to line up with sections split into groups of 4 measures. It's pretty standard but only today I learned it was because it's supposed to help mix with Undertale's rhythmic combat system, and that just so happens to be perfect for a circus troupe. That's beautiful. xD Congrats Toby, your mastery in music has gone above and beyond in ways we never could've expected.

[@voidify3]

It was actually the homestuck version of the song I heard

[@emmbeesea]

Christmas is a time for Megalovania. sans out of sans would agree.

[@shinyev3281]

Happy New year

[@antoniocormatches6762]

The pope is a gamer

[@rampage75_25]

Amen

[@415-k1ub]

Drawing the armless Monster kid as a juggler is pretty funny ngl

[@Shlonzs]

Mat Pat from game theory also played a role in that (he gave undertale to the pope)…

[@fhjunior6183]

Thanks for the vid

[@cadesaylor7822]

If you listen to the performance, the version of megalovania played wasn't from undertale. Its the fricking version from Homestuck

[@Thatdizzyboi]

Happy News Years 🥳

[@Wakish0069]

This is so weird, I juggle daily for physical/mental benefits and stumbled across Megalovania just last month and instantly used it to juggle to and now that's my daily go-to song for practicing. It's funny that other jugglers had the same thought

[@TETNTM]

Who knew a random song from 2008 made for an earthbound rom hack would be played to the pope 10 years later

[@matsuspeaks]

undertale this, undertale that.. but homestucks will never forget our roots..

[@Fishnberg]

For people don't know, Theres a time when Toby Claimed that he played necrofantasia at his church, and even ZUN (Creator of Touhou) is shocked that he playes a song called "Necrofantasia" at a church. Its an arrangement he created by ear, and now Yukari is toby's favorite touhou. Seeing Megalovania played for the Pope made me kinda laugh, how a character that he kinda inspired from a Japanese indie game he played at Middle School had a chance to shine brighter then the original source he got inspiride from is mind blowing to see.

[@judsongaiden9878]

Imagine if they'd done a performance based around Bonetrousle with its mid-80s Elfman-era Oingo Boingo vibe!

[@Psyk0h]

If you told me 2 years ago that “The Pope, Circus Jugglers, and Megalovania” would be in the same sentence I would not have believed you

[@KAIsibs]

Coming from MatPat’s interview, this changes the perspective a lot

[@ChimeraLotietheBunny]

Thus is amazing...

[@TGCPhilip]

I'm Catholic but not insanely Catholic, *_I don't even go to Sunday Mass._* So I didn't know anything you just told me, other than the Pope existing.

[@_.-.]

Sounds like you aren't actually Catholic, your parents are

[@TGCPhilip]

@@_.-., well, parent, one of them is also buddhist. My parents don't even go to mass, I still believe in God and Jesus.

[@_.-.]

@@TGCPhilip You might be some kind of discount pretend to be Christian, but you sure as hell don't look like a Catholic. Are you even baptised?

[@TGCPhilip]

@@_.-. yep, baptised, did my first communion, even confirmation, Nicholas was the name I picked

[@petitesayo4542]

@@_.-. Not true scottman fallacy attempt ?

[@WarmLillie]

Matpat allow us to take us one step further for gaming to be good force and not monstrous demon like the game itself.

[@nettune9980X]

stay safe to the both of you, and the whole world.

[@martinwallen2755]

the sad thing is HE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO PLAY DELTARUNE!

[@WarmLillie]

Beauty can take multiple forms, just take a look at me now.

[@SnepBlepVR]

2022 the Pope be like:Ehi ragazzi è yah ragazzo YeahImThePopeVR che viene a voi dal vivo dalla mia cappella dove un circo INCREDIBILE ha appena suonato una canzone di fuoco chiamata Megalvenia! Oggi ci immergeremo nel gioco virale UnderTale di TobyFox link nella discrizione, questo video è stato portato a voi dalla Santissima Trinità Padre Figlio e Spirito Santo Uscire? nessuna famiglia si salva!

[@vibechecked3648]

Imagine Sans is too lazy to go to the Pope soo he hires a circus to play his theme soo that the Pope have a good time.

[@poptato6426]

The persona text bubble •0•

[@53ra]

They're not even playing the undertale version of megalovania. They're playing the homestuck version of it 🤦‍♂️

[@indejcriptible]

Toby might not be great at juggling, but he is at playing maracas

[@kreassiva9138]

1:46 well said. You got my like there

[@RalseiGaming]

i can help you get more info on this and i know no one will believe me but i had a small part in this happening we tried to set up rude buster but it didn’t work out

[@AbsolXGuardian]

According to someone in the comments of a recording of the performance, apparently the arrangement the circus performers used was actually an original remix, combining the original Earthbound hack version, the homestuck version and the Undertale version. Despite being familar with both songs, my ear isn't good enough to confirm. But if true, I'd bet it was a compromise between an Undertale fan and a Homestuck (or highly unlikely an Earthbound hack purist) purist in the troupe

[@williamcom4506]

I couldn't tell if that song is cursed or blessed.

[@megareavermickeybot7985]

I almost why Chara's theme wasn't considered but then again Chara likes to go the tital ofthe demon that comes when you call their name which I imagine would not go over well.

[@bayuwrahatnoko]

In this world It's bless or be blessed.

[@Lpkiwi]

I remember at school we have little newspapers and when i read this in the news i had a heart attack not trying to laugh

[@spiritedchung5926]

I mean.... He is the same person who has the anime coat of himself

[@tvmanstan6933]

This is an easy question he enjoyed playing it on steam using the code that Matt Pat gave him that he now origins every piece of undertale memorabilia he even has a Sans shower mat

[@realsalu634]

Game Theory: Sans is Jesus?!?

[@PlumEXE]

Popelovania, italian Tifa, and Microsoft Blizzard in such a sort amount of time

[@axo3940]

1:26 ayo how he juggling with no arms?

[@shiny4984]

0:14 The *_w h a t?_* The....... *_s e c o n d??_*

[@globalwarrior16]

I feel like Toby Fox wouldve loved to preform Megalovania in front of the Pope, its the dumb and funny thing we all need

[@kifird23]

Yo I'm a devout Catholic and I had no clue what was happening lmao. Thanks for the explanation!

[@waddledee6642]

They dog has taken over.

[@reallyman6502]

Jugglers should try Forced battle theme from SMT3 next time

[@PhotonZXY]

*MEGALOVANIA starts playing*

[@datbo1]

I thought it was that they heard about MatPat giving him a copy of Undertale years prior

[@RalseiGaming]

might be 3 soon cause of what me and father tom planned

[@Lachrymogenic]

I hope and if this is true, then I am happy that the pope is happy about Undertale. He does seem like quite a chill guy and the whole trying to connect with the world today is seen as kind of cringe, but the way they're going about it seems totally fine to be honest. Remember the old christian/catholic minecraft server? A lot of people like to make fun of MatPat for giving the pope Undertale but like, imagine you are toby, you made a game that was featured in smash, given to the pope, played by millions, had an orchestra for it, etc. Toby probably feels like a legend right now. Shame that FNAF wasn't given to the pope, though, I'm sure thats a good thing, considering that giving FNAF to the pope might accidentally kill him.

[@Greyspecies9999]

we are almost at the end of january, and there's already another meme about italy and videogames *Except, this one is less "wholesome"*

[@equilibrum999]

omega of the dynasty Song.

[@pirilon78]

Showing monster kid jugling is just salt in the wound lmao

[@grassyummyyum]

2:29 NO NO NO NO

[@ElToland]

Well, at least it wasn't "Mogolovonio" by Sr Pelo xD

[@peacefulfr]

Amen.

[@icedragon2030]

Matpat the madlad

[@Leffrey]

We are now a step closer in bringing Homestuck closer to god

[@jesuslovesyouandisthewayto1114]

He’s already heard it many times from the copy he got from mat pat

[@woeq]

rip matpat

[@lukelcs8934]

"Apologies to any Catholics watching this video as a lot of this will seem like common knowledge to you" As a Catholic I knew none of this.

[@leritykay8911]

As an atheist, I knew all about this XD The duality of men

[@lukelcs8934]

@@leritykay8911 XD Indeed

[@Tiagofvarela]

Does anyone know who this narrator is? I feel as if I've heard them somewhere else, but it could've just been a similar voice.

[@blockmath_2048]

- shows monster kid juggling wait that's illegal

[@N_A714]

But remember that’s just a theory, A GAME THEORY!!!

[@vensux4173]

2023: Why the pope litsened big shot?

[@MizeLOL]

A question that we cannot forget... Where is undertale going? From such small game... where undertale is going?