The Vatican has announced its new mascot, Luce, inspired by anime, for the Jubilee of 2025. This reveals an unprecedented encounter between the Catholic Church and Japanese pop culture. Created by Italian designer Simone Legno of the tokidoki brand, Luce represents an attempt to connect the Church with youth through an aesthetic inspired by anime and video games.
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The character will make her debut at the Lucca Comics and Games convention in Italy, marking the Vatican's first participation in a pop culture event. Luce, dressed in a yellow coat, muddy boots, and carrying a pilgrim's cross, symbolizes the spiritual journey and hope, according to the Vatican.
With bright eyes reminiscent of the traditional glow of anime characters, the mascot was described by Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, as a visual metaphor for the Church's message of hope and faith. Furthermore, the mascot will also be one of the highlights of the Holy See's pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
The influence of anime culture on the Vatican's new mascot
The creation of Luce reflects a strategic move by the Vatican to engage with new cultural languages. This initiative aims to bring the Church closer to new generations. This character and his "pilgrim friends"—Fe, Xin, and Sky—exhibit traits of adventurers with influences from RPG games and Japanese aesthetics, thus enabling a novel approach to transmitting religious values.
The launch of Luce at a comic book and gaming convention reinforces the Vatican's commitment to exploring the field of pop culture, thus establishing a bridge with young people who identify with these universes. Simone Legno, the mascot's creator, expressed his gratitude to the Vatican for the opportunity to open up space for pop culture. He highlighted his desire for Luce to touch the hearts of young people and represent feelings of connection and hope.
Luce and the preparation for the 2025 jubilee
With boots that suggest a challenging journey and a staff that symbolizes the path to eternity, Luce reflects values of faith and determination. Her yellow raincoat, reminiscent of the Vatican flag, represents her commitment to life's storms and her mission to transmit hope, thus transcending the physical limits of the Church.
The Jubilee is a celebration in the Catholic Church, held every 25 years, that invites faithful from all over the world to experience a year of grace and pilgrimage. Therefore, Luce's presence at the 2025 celebrations is part of a series of cultural events organized by the Vatican.
With the theme “Beauty Brings Hope,” the Vatican pavilion at Expo 2025 will also feature Caravaggio’s “The Entombment of Christ,” on loan from the Vatican Museums. Luce, with her pilgrim-like appearance and bright eyes, represents the spiritual guide of young people, echoing Pope Francis’ message that youth should be “pilgrims” in faith and not “tourists” of their spirituality.