The Vatican’s New Mascot: Luce, the Anime Character
The Vatican recently announced the official mascot for Jubilee 2025, and it’s none other than Luce, an anime character designed by Simone Legno, the creator of the Tokidoki brand. Luce has quickly gained popularity online, with people sharing memes and fanart of the adorable pilgrim on social media platforms.
Designed for the year-long religious period in the Catholic church that focuses on the forgiveness of sins, Luce sports a chibi design reminiscent of Sanrio characters. Details like a yellow raincoat, muddy boots, and clam-shell eyes symbolizing hope adorn this lovable character. In Italian, Luce means “light,” and she was specifically created to resonate with pop culture and appeal to younger audiences, as stated on the official jubilee website.
The Controversy Surrounding Luce
While Luce has captured the hearts of many online, her introduction comes at a contentious time for the Catholic church. Recent reports on clerical sexual abuse by a Vatican commission have raised concerns about the church’s handling of such issues. Critics have pointed out the dissonance between introducing a mascot aimed at young people while facing scrutiny for failing to protect children from abuse.
Anime Hype Train: The Vatican’s Unexpected Move
Despite the controversy, it seems like the Pope and Vatican officials are jumping on the anime hype train with the introduction of Luce. Online users are sharing anime-inspired fanart and memes featuring the new mascot. Some artwork portrays Luce in intricate detail, while others humorously depict her interaction with Jesus. The unexpected move to create an official anime character by the Vatican has certainly caught many off guard, especially considering the upcoming 2025 expo in Osaka, Japan.