Jesus has competition: The Vatican mascot is conquering the Internet

Luce is the first official mascot of the Catholic Church ? and is currently becoming a social media star.

We can hardly believe some of the news ourselves, but it is actually true. Fan art of an anime girl in a yellow raincoat, green boots, blue hair and a cross around her neck is currently being increasingly shared on social networks.

This isn't about the heroine of a completely new anime series, but about thatofficial mascot of the Vatican. More precisely, the girl in question goes by the name Luce (Italian for light) and is the symbolic figure for the upcoming Holy Year.

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The hope in the heart

The Holy Years of the Catholic Church are a centuries-old tradition. Such a year is announced every 25 years and is intended to strengthen people in their faith.They are also called years of jubileeand the long period of time in between also explains the well-known exclamation:alle Jubeljahre. Or in one sentence:Every anniversary a new Elder Scrolls comes out.

Such jubilee years have been running under a motto for some time, this year was aboutthe mottoPilgrim of hopeexclaimed. But for the first time, a Holy Year now also has a mascot. Luce in question should also take up the motto with her design and is therefore modeled on a typical pilgrim.

But your look can go beyond thatKawaiiorChibibe referred to. The large eyes leave no doubt that the design is influenced by manga and anime. The light in her eyes shouldaccording to an official announcement symbolize the hope in the heart of every pilgrim.

Luce was revealed during a press conference by Archbishop Rino Fisichella. According to Fisichella, the design of the figure is intended to express the church's desire toto also live in the pop culture so loved by young people.

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Luce was designed by the Italian illustrator Simone Legno, who in turn founded the Tokidoki brand. A lifestyle brand that has been around since 2006 and is particularly based on Japanese pop culture.

Luce is popular online

Whether it's just the sheer absurdity of this announcement, because people think the campaign is really good or simply because Luce is cute, Luce will definitely be closed in a few hoursmatured into a minor social media star. There are already lots of Luce fanarts on X (formerly Twitter). They range from loving reinterpretations to classic memes. Including repeated references to video games:

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In addition to all these nice allusions, there is also criticism. Some point to Jesus Christ as a symbolic figure of Christianity, while others see the name Luce as an allusion to the divine adversary Lucifer.

All in all, however, the positive response seems to predominate. Together with Luce, the Vatican is also present at Europe's largest comic fair in Lucca for the first time in its history. Luce will also perform at the Holy See Pavilion during Expo 2025 in Osaka.