Blue hair, large glazed eyes, a yellow anorak, and muddy green boots. No, this description does not belong to a quirky anime character, but to the official cartoon mascot of the Catholic Holy Year of 2025.
For the 2025 Catholic Jubilee or Holy Year, a special grace period of reduced punishment for sins occurring every 25 years, the Vatican unveiled the unexpected character to become its mascot in October. Her name is Luce, the Italian word for “light.”
Archbishop Rino Fisichella revealed the mascot illustrated by Japenese-influenced Italian designer Simone Legno at a press conference, noting that the character was “created from the desire to enter into the world of pop culture, so beloved by our young people.” The archbishop added that Luce represented a “happy union” between “Christian symbols and Japanese culture.” The Vatican plans to bring Luce to Italy’s Pavillion at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan.
In a press release, the Vatican said Luce “not only represents the Jubilee but is also a symbol of community, of welcome, and of sharing.”
Reactions to the bright-yellow Luce, modeled after a Catholic pilgrim with a World Mission rosary, staff, and glossy eyes reflecting the symbolic scallop shell, ranged from general amusement by her cutesy appearance to conservative condemnations of Legno’s art celebrating Pride and LGBTQ+ communities for his merchandise company Tokidoki. Others on social media said there was no need for a Catholic mascot because of the crucifix, and she was quickly adopted by anti-abortion accounts.
While each Jubilee year is typically represented by an official logo, Luce appears to be the first proper mascot of the Catholic celebration. This Holy Year’s logo was chosen during a competition beginning in 2022 with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” featuring multi-colored people clinging to a cross above waves in a design strangely reminiscent of an Olympics ad.
Here’s what the internet thinks of the Vatican’s design. Let there be Luce!
I can’t escape Moo Deng, but this is very Stardew Valley:
Some, like this user, posted about the mascot in the context of deeper issues in the Church, including child abuse and alleged fraud.
Wait ’til the VeggieTales producers see this …
