The Jubilee Year 2025 promises to be unlike any holy event the Vatican has ever hosted. While pilgrims from across the world gear up for prayer, penance, and pilgrimage, one unexpected companion is stealing the spotlight—Luce, the Vatican’s very own anime mascot. Yes, you read that right. Anime has officially entered Saint Peter’s Square. And she’s not just cute—she’s meaningful, symbolic, and intentionally crafted to reach a generation more familiar with streaming series and comic cons than papal encyclicals. Meet Luce: a chibi-styled, blue-haired girl who’s lighting the way—literally—for this once-in-a-quarter-century Catholic celebration.
Born of Light, Dressed for the Road
Luce’s name comes from the Italian word for “light,” and that’s exactly what she represents. Created by Simone Legno, the visionary behind the beloved Tokidoki brand, Luce isn’t just another cute face in the crowd. She’s a vibrant symbol of hope and renewal. Her aesthetic blends the cheerful expressiveness of Japanese pop art with deep Catholic symbolism, presenting a figure that is both spiritually grounded and visually modern. Her appearance tells a story. She wears a sunshine-yellow raincoat, a nod to the Vatican flag’s colors, symbolizing spiritual protection against the storms of life. The coat isn’t pristine either—it’s speckled with spots, just like her green boots are muddy. These elements signal that Luce is walking, struggling, and journeying just like the rest of us. She’s a fellow traveler, not a distant saint. Her blue hair cascades with vibrancy, and her wide anime eyes are adorned with scallop shell-shaped highlights—a callout to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and the universal symbol of seekers. Around her neck, a multi-colored rosary swings gently, referencing the World Mission Rosary, which unites all continents in prayer and solidarity.
Designed to Walk With You
What sets Luce apart from traditional mascots or church figures is her relatability. While she draws upon the ancient symbolism of pilgrimage, she isn’t dressed in historical garb or haloed with glowing light. Instead, she wears an outfit you might spot on a schoolgirl with a quirky fashion sense. Her staff is simple, wooden, and gently worn. It’s not ornamental—it’s functional. And that says everything about her. Luce is not here to float above us. She’s here to walk with us. Whether you’re embarking on an actual journey to Rome or navigating a personal spiritual awakening, Luce represents a light at your side, not one above your head.
A Joyful Gang of Sidekicks
No great mascot travels alone, and Luce is no exception. She’s been given a full cast of friends to accompany her on her symbolic pilgrimage. First, there’s Santino, an energetic and loyal dog who follows her with playful devotion. Then come her trio of diverse human companions—Fe, Xin, and Sky. Each of them carries a name packed with spiritual meaning. “Fe” is Spanish for faith, “Xin” echoes the Japanese word for truth or trust, and “Sky” serves as a universal symbol for the heavens and divine hope. They’re not just cute—they’re miniature embodiments of the Jubilee’s central theme: hope, truth, and unity. There’s also Aura, a soft white dove who flutters beside Luce, representing the Holy Spirit. And finally, Lubi—a glowing little guardian angel with shimmering wings. Named after “iubilaeum,” the Latin root of Jubilee, Lubi adds a whimsical but poignant reminder that divine guidance is always present, even in the form of a pint-sized celestial cheerleader. Altogether, Luce and her companions are like a Vatican-inspired anime ensemble, each with personality, purpose, and their own inner light.
Lights, Camera, Lucca: The Debut
Luce made her grand entrance into the public eye not from a pulpit, but from the world’s largest comic convention—Lucca Comics & Games in Italy. In a sea of caped crusaders and video game icons, Luce held her own, surrounded by fans eager to snap selfies with the life-sized inflatable version of her. She made waves instantly. Her photo went viral on social media. Young Catholics, anime fans, and artists alike began crafting fan art, memes, even cosplay versions of the new pilgrim idol. It wasn’t long before hashtags like #AnimeVatican and #Luce2025 began lighting up feeds across Europe and beyond. Critics and fans alike were caught off guard. Could the Vatican actually be embracing pop culture? Was this a gimmick or a genuine attempt at engagement? The answer, as the creators explained, lies in something deeper than marketing. Luce was born not from branding, but from a pastoral desire—to bring the Gospel message to where young people already live, speak, and dream. And right now, many of them are dreaming in anime.
Anime as Evangelization?
For centuries, the Catholic Church has used art to reach hearts and minds. From Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel to the soaring notes of Gregorian chant, beauty has always been a vessel for faith. So why not anime? That’s the question Luce quietly asks just by existing. She proves that the sacred doesn’t always wear robes or speak Latin. Sometimes, it skips and smiles and sparkles in big-eyed innocence. This isn’t an abandonment of tradition—it’s a continuation of it. Anime, like stained glass before it, is a visual language. The Church speaking in that language today shows it wants to connect, not command. Luce becomes a living invitation, especially for young people who might feel disconnected from the rituals of Catholic life. She says, in her own bubbly way, “There’s room for you here. Your world matters to us. Let’s walk together.”
Symbolism That Speaks Loudly
Luce is more than eye candy. Every part of her design has been carefully thought through. Her muddy boots remind us that faith is often forged in discomfort. Her yellow raincoat—sunlight in the storm—invites us to seek joy even during spiritual trials. Her staff is not a badge of honor but a tool of support. And that shell glimmer in her eyes? It’s the scallop shell of St. James the Greater, symbol of pilgrimages, guiding travelers for centuries. Then there’s the rosary. Multicolored, it initially sparked debate among onlookers who feared it was a political or cultural symbol. But in truth, it represents the five continents prayed for in the World Mission Rosary: Africa, the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. It’s not a statement—it’s a map of prayer, tied directly to the Church’s universal mission. This layering of meaning is what makes Luce shine brighter the longer you look at her.
Not Without Controversy
Of course, not everyone is sold on the idea. Traditionalist critics raised eyebrows, questioning whether anime—so often associated with secular, even irreverent content—belongs in Vatican circles. Others dismissed Luce as childish or accused the Church of pandering. But defenders point out that the Church has always adapted to cultural shifts. From early Christian mosaics that mimicked Roman art to Renaissance painters who shaped the way we imagine angels, the Church has historically used the tools of the age to share eternal truths. In this light, Luce is not a dilution but an evolution. The irony is not lost on fans that the Vatican, an institution nearly 2,000 years old, is using a format barely a century old to express one of its most sacred celebrations. But the contrast is precisely what makes it memorable—and meaningful.
The Road Ahead: From Rome to the World
As Jubilee 2025 kicks off, Luce will become more than just a drawing on a flyer. She’ll appear on banners, pilgrim passports, prayer cards, digital guides, and even merchandise. Plush dolls, figurines, stickers, and apps will likely carry her message forward, especially as the Vatican prepares to represent itself at Expo 2025 in Osaka. There, Luce will serve as a kind of cultural ambassador—an emissary not just of the Holy See, but of hope, art, and connection. In that context, she isn’t just a mascot—she’s a message. A little light glowing across borders, faiths, and fandoms.
A Chibi-Sized Revelation
So, who is Luce? She’s not just the Vatican’s anime mascot. She’s a symbol of a Church daring to dream again, to speak with joy, to meet people where they are. She’s a celebration of light in every sense: spiritual light, cultural light, artistic light. And most of all, she’s a friend for the journey. Whether you’re a lifelong believer, a curious skeptic, or simply someone who appreciates a good anime character, Luce welcomes you with open arms and a muddy boot. In the end, maybe the world didn’t know it needed a Catholic anime mascot. But Luce didn’t ask permission. She showed up anyway, ready to walk beside us with staff in hand and sparkle in her eyes. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll help us see the light in ourselves a little more clearly.
