In an unprecedented effort to connect with younger generations, the Vatican has introduced Luce, an anime girl, as its official mascot in anticipation of the upcoming Catholic jubilee. The new figure seeks to represent the feelings of hope and faith in the hearts of young people, an initiative that has attracted attention for the choice of a design inspired by the kawaii style characteristic of Japan, an unusual strategy for the Church.
Luce, whose name means “light” in Italian, was created by Simone Legno, co-founder of the tokidoki brand, who is known for his colorful and adorable Japanese-style characters. The mascot's mission is to guide young pilgrims toward faith and hope on their spiritual journey. Luce's style, along with her dog Santino and her friends Fe, Xin and Sky, evokes Sanrio characters, famous for their tenderness and simplicity. All the characters are wearing brightly colored raincoats and boots, ready for their sacred pilgrimage, a design that reinforces the theme of a journey of faith under any adversity.
One of the most striking details of Luce and her friends are the special markings on their eyes, described by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, chief organizer of the jubilee, as “a symbol of hope from the heart”. This detail seeks to convey a positive and hopeful message, especially designed to resonate among young people who see anime as a familiar and close cultural expression.
Luce's official presentation will take place at the prestigious Lucca Comics and Games event in Italy, marking the first time the Vatican has officially participated in a pop culture and comics convention. This movement symbolizes the Church's openness to new forms of cultural interaction and its interest in connecting with non-traditional audiences through popular formats such as anime and manga. In addition, it has been confirmed that Luce will also be the representative of the Holy See at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, an event in which the anime style will be key to bringing the Church's message closer to the Japanese and world public.
At the moment, no specific plans have been revealed regarding possible Luce and friends products, such as merchandising or multimedia projects. However, expectations for its future are high, as the Church is planning multiple cultural events around the jubilee, and characters like Luce could play an important role in these activities.especially if they achieve good reception in anime circles.
Fountain: Official Twitter Account
