> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://hyperallergic.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Meet Luce, the Vatican’s Jubilee Year Cartoon Mascot - URL: https://hyperallergic.com/meet-luce-the-vaticans-jubilee-year-cartoon-mascot/ - Published: 2025-01-06T20:58:00.000Z - Updated: 2025-11-24T16:37:24.000Z - Description: In an amusing branding move, the Vatican debuted an anime-style cartoon mascot named Luce to mixed reactions online. - Author: Isa Farfan - Tags: News, Vatican, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 09:41 (2025) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2025/01/screen-shot-2025-01-03-at-1-56-29-pm.jpg) However you feel about her, her drip is undeniable. (screenshot via [@daily\_\_loli](https://x.com/daily%5F%5Floli/status/1871707437469688096?ref=hyperallergic.com) on X) 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](https://www.vatican.va/jubilee%5F2000/docs/documents/ju%5Fdocuments%5F17-feb-1997%5Fhistory%5Fen.html?ref=hyperallergic.com#:~:text=For%20the%20Church%20the%20Jubilee,of%20reconciliation%20between%20disputing%20parties.), a special grace period of reduced punishment for sins occurring every 25 years, the Vatican [unveiled](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDf1GHcbFWU&ref=hyperallergic.com) 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](https://news.sky.com/story/vatican-unveils-new-cartoon-mascot-for-catholic-church-13244550?ref=hyperallergic.com) 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](https://news.sky.com/story/vatican-unveils-new-cartoon-mascot-for-catholic-church-13244550?ref=hyperallergic.com) that Luce represented a “happy union” between “Christian symbols and Japanese culture.” The Vatican plans to [bring](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-10/jubilee-of-hope-2025-concerts-art-exhibitions.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) Luce to Italy’s Pavillion at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan. In a [press release](https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/notizie/comunicati/2024/luce-mascotte-ufficiale-giubileo-2025.html?ref=hyperallergic.com), the Vatican said Luce “not only represents the Jubilee but is also a symbol of community, of welcome,and of sharing.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2025/01/screen-shot-2025-01-03-at-1-54-33-pm.jpg) It is quite different, isn't it? (screenshot via [@0xDamien](https://x.com/0xDamien/status/1868147051185455215?ref=hyperallergic.com) on X, all screenshots Isa Farfan/*Hyperallergic*) 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](https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2024/10/31/using-a-mascot-misses-and-obscures-the-point-of-the-jubilee-year/?ref=hyperallergic.com) of Legno’s [art](https://www.tokidoki.it/pages/pride?ref=hyperallergic.com) celebrating Pride and LGBTQ+ communities for his merchandise company Tokidoki. Others on social media [said](https://x.com/BaritusCatholic/status/1851057561392357703?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1851057561392357703%7Ctwgr%5Eadc714fa7c68ecc9c77b5c80c919681b8c6d085d%7Ctwcon%5Es1%5F&ref%5Furl=https%3A%2F%2Fembedly.forbes.com%2Fwidgets%2Fmedia.html%3Ftype%3Dtext2Fhtmlkey%3D3ce26dc7e3454db5820ba084d28b4935schema%3Dtwitterurl%3Dhttps3A%2F%2Fx.com%2FBaritusCatholic%2Fstatus%2F1851057561392357703image%3D&ref=hyperallergic.com) there was no need for a Catholic mascot because of the crucifix, and she was quickly adopted by anti-abortion [accounts](https://x.com/creation247/status/1851994535477547406?ref=hyperallergic.com). While each Jubilee year is typically represented by an official [logo](https://catholicnews.sg/2022/03/06/creating-a-logo-for-jubilee-2025/?ref=hyperallergic.com), Luce appears to be the first proper mascot of the Catholic celebration. This Holy Year’s logo was [chosen](https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/giubileo-2025/logo.html?ref=hyperallergic.com) 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*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stardew%5FValley?ref=hyperallergic.com): ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2025/01/screen-shot-2025-01-03-at-1-56-08-pm.jpg) No escape from Moo Deng (screenshot via [@pixelartfighter](https://x.com/pixelartfighter/status/1852591992330686944?ref=hyperallergic.com) on X) Some, like this user, posted about the mascot in the context of deeper issues in the Church, including child abuse and alleged fraud. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2025/01/screen-shot-2025-01-03-at-1-55-02-pm-2.jpg) There's still that big elephant in the room. (screenshot via [@BackwardsFee](https://x.com/BackwardsFeet/status/1851082391055475056?ref=hyperallergic.com)[t](https://x.com/BackwardsFeet?ref=hyperallergic.com) on X) Wait 'til the *VeggieTales* producers see this ... ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2025/01/screen-shot-2025-01-03-at-1-56-45-pm.jpg) *VeggieTales* meet Luce. (screenshot via [@catholicpat](https://x.com/catholicpat/status/1856759311210262694?ref=hyperallergic.com) on X)