diff --git a/src/populate_popes b/src/populate_popes
index fab483f..cb02c80 100644
--- a/src/populate_popes
+++ b/src/populate_popes
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ def init_pope(meta):
         return pope
     else:
         pope = Pope(meta["id"], meta["name"])
+        pope.save()
         return pope