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Popes (gang)

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1 Information
2 1970s-1980s
3 Modern history
4 External links
5 Images

Information

The "Popes" (also known as "The Insane Popes") are a Chicago, Illinois street gang, thought to have formed in the late 1960s or early 1970s on the north side of Chicago. They may have emerged from an unnamed "Greaser" gang in the late 1950s on Chicago and Wood Streets. By the mid 1970s the Popes main membership consisted of Greeks from the Albany Park/Lincoln Square neighborhood, and at their peak in the mid-1960s to early 1970s, they may have had 300-500 members. The southside Popes were also started by north Pope leader Larkin but became a separate and independent gang. The gang territory and workings are very different from northside to southside. And the distance from the north and south are very far. In a way they are different worlds. They were the third largest Caucasian street gang in Chicago, after the Gaylords (peak membership in the late 1970s 2000-3000) and Simon City Royals (peak membership in the early 1980s 1,500-2000).

1970s-1980s

The gang's leader, "Larkin", was killed in 1975 by members of the Almighty Gaylords. The north-side Insane Popes formed a strong alliance with the Simon City Royals soon after the murder of Larkin. By the late 1970s, the Insane Popes had spread into various communities on the South Side.

Modern history

Today their main rivals are the Latin Kings on the North side, and Satan Disciples on the South side. Today there are about 100-200 active members of the North side Insane Popes. They also have started some sets in the South side of Chicago and some of the suburbs. The North Side Popes are allied with the Folk Nation while the south side Popes are allied with the People Nation. Today the Popes of Chicago are a gang comprised primarily of white, with a few Latinos on the southside. They tend to wear Yankees apparel. North Side Insane Popes wear baby-blue and black, showing allegiance to other Folks gangs, they are strongy aligned with the Simon City Royals. In fact often referring to themselves as Royal Popes.