In anticipation of the anniversary year 2025, the Vatican presented an anime-style mascot, snob.ru reports with reference to the Catholic News Agency (CAN).
The new mascot was named Luce (translated from Italian as “light”) and appeared before the public in the form of a young girl dressed in a yellow raincoat, the color scheme of which echoes the official flag of the Vatican. The creators paid special attention to detail: mud-spattered boots emphasize the image of a wanderer, and the character’s eyes are decorated with a special symbol – shimmering scallop shells, a traditional sign of pilgrims on the Way of St. James. The image is complemented by a pilgrimage cross on the neck.
Archbishop Rino Fisichella commented on this innovative decision, emphasizing that the appearance of an anime mascot is a conscious step towards modern pop culture and the younger generation of believers.
Luce will make her debut at the prestigious Lucca Comics and Games festival, and will then become the official symbol of the Holy See pavilion at the Expo 2025 international exhibition.
