Vatican Unveils Anime Mascot Luce for the 2025 Jubilee and World Expo!

The Vatican has officially embraced pop culture with its new mascot, Luce, an anime-inspired character unveiled for the upcoming 2025 Jubilee. Meaning "Light" in Italian, Luce aims to connect with younger audiences as the Holy Year kicks off on Christmas Eve 2024. Designed by Simone Legno of tokidoki fame, she sports a bright yellow raincoat and mud-stained boots, symbolizing a pilgrim's journey through life's storms.

Luce will make her debut at Lucca Comics and Games, Italy’s premier convention for comics and fantasy, marking a historic first for the Vatican’s participation in such an event. Archbishop Rino Fisichella hopes Luce will spark conversations about hope among younger generations, aligning with the Church's mission to engage with contemporary culture.

Beyond the convention, Luce will represent the Vatican at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, alongside Caravaggio’s The Entombment of Christ. With her cheerful demeanor and vibrant design, Luce is set to shine as a beacon of hope and connection between faith and modernity — who knew a doll could carry such weight?

Sources: Vatican News

Picture: (CNS photo/Justin McLellan)