The Vatican recently introduced “Luce,” an anime-inspired mascot created to engage younger generations in celebrating the upcoming Holy Year, or Jubilee, in 2025. Designed by Italian artist Simone Legno, co-founder of the pop culture brand tokidoki, Luce aims to bridge Catholic tradition with contemporary youth culture.
Luce is depicted as a cheerful, blue-haired girl in a bright yellow raincoat, complete with mud-stained boots, symbolizing the spirit of pilgrimage. She holds a pilgrim’s staff and a missionary cross, accompanied by her loyal dog, Santino, and a trio of friends named Fe, Xin, and Sky—representing values of faith and exploration.
This anime-styled character will also be featured at the Holy See’s pavilion during Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. According to Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the chief organizer of the Jubilee, Luce embodies the Church’s intent to resonate with younger audiences through pop culture. This unique approach marks a shift for the Vatican, showing its commitment to engaging with youth through relatable and modern visuals.
Sources:
- Firstpost – “Vatican unveils anime-like mascot ‘Luce’, aims to engage youth ahead of 2025 jubilee”
- VG247 – “As the Vatican unveils its bizarre new anime girl mascot, we have to ask: is this not a Cardinal sin?”
- MSN – “Vatican unveils anime mascot ‘Luce’ for Holy Year 2025”
- Know Your Meme – “Who Is Luce? The Vatican’s New Blue-Haired ‘Anime’ Mascot Explained”