The Vatican unveils official anime girl mascot

The Vatican has introduced a charming new anime girl mascot with the aim of creating characters that can embody the feelings of the younger generation.

The latest character, named Luce (meaning “Light” in Italian), is intended to assist young pilgrims in finding hope and faith, as reported by the Catholic News Agency.

Designed by Simone Legno, co-founder of tokidoki, Luce is accompanied by her dog Santino and friends Fe, Xin, and Sky. With a design reminiscent of Sanrio characters, Luce and her friends don colorful raincoats and boots for their sacred journey. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the chief organizer of Jubilee, describes the unique markings in their eyes as “a symbol of the hope of the heart.”

Luce will be introduced at the Lucca Comics and Games convention in Italy, marking the Vatican’s first official participation in a comics convention. Additionally, Luce will represent the Holy See at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

The Catholic Church is organizing various cultural events and initiatives in preparation for the upcoming Catholic jubilee.

Details regarding merchandise and potential multimedia projects for Luce and her friends have not been disclosed at this time.