The 'Catholic Mario' meme stems from a combination of fan art depicting the Nintendo mascot in papal or priestly vestments and long-standing internet discussions regarding his canonical background. Many fans cite a 1990s Japanese guidebook that reportedly mentions Mario's faith, while others simply find the juxtaposition of the upbeat plumber and solemn Catholic rituals hilarious. It is frequently used to provide 'holy' commentary on gaming news or to joke about the moral codes within the Mushroom Kingdom. Whether he's offering a blessing or excommunicating Bowser, Catholic Mario has become a staple for surreal humor and gaming trivia fans alike.