Social Media Users Drop Anime Fan Art After Vatican Unveils 2025 Jubilee Mascot, 'Luce'

On October 28, the Vatican unveiled an anime cartoon mascot ahead of the 2025 Jubilee that will take place in Rome, Italy.

Luce means "light" in Italian and the hope of this creation was to capture the attention of younger audiences and engage with pop culture.

Luce, a Catholic female pilgrim wearing a yellow rain jacket, muddy green boots, blue hair, and a colorful rosary, has already become a viral internet sensation. She also carries a staff symbolizing the "pilgrimage toward eternity."

Simone Legno, the Italian artist who was commissioned by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, owns the company Tokidoki. The company, which debuted in 2005, is known for creating Japanese-inspired characters and art.  

Luce will be featured at the Holy See’s Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Japan, representing the Vatican’s theme of “Beauty Brings Hope.” 

An official image from Vatican Media entitled, “Luce & Friends,” portrays Luce making a pilgrimage journey with several companions, including a puppy. 

While many Catholics online shared differing opinions about Luce, several artists created fanwork depicting her in different Catholic scenes.

For example, some artwork shows Luce in Rome, being embraced by our Lord, and evangelizing.

On X:

Along with their fan art, Baritus Catholic Illustration wrote, "I present to you: 'St. Raphael Guides Luce Through the Dark Wood.' My original take on Luce. Gen-X meets Gen-Z with fan art."

Other users on Facebook also shared their fan art versions of Luce.

Here's one posted by Supreme Catholic Meme:

And others posted by user April Baybayon:

Do you have any favorite Luce fan art? Let us know in the comments!