UN The Vatican now has an official anime girl mascot

The Vatican has unveiled the official mascot of the Holy Year 2025: Luce (Italian for Light). Archbishop Fisichella says the mascot was inspired by the Church's desire "to live even within the pop culture so beloved by our youth."
"Luce" will also serve as the mascot of the Holy See's pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The Holy See pavilion will also display the 17th-century painting "The Entombment of Christ" by Caravaggio.

Spoiler: Concept art

Spoiler: Vinil figure close-up

Spoiler: Article from Giubileo 2025 (machine translated)

During the press conference on 28 October, His Excellency Archbishop Fisichella officially presented the Jubilee 2025 mascot, ‘Luce’.

This character, designed by illustrator Simone Legno, was conceived with the intention of reflecting pop culture, particularly appreciated by young people, and carries a message of hope and welcome.

Luce is a pilgrim who wears the typical elements of the traveller: a yellow k-way to shelter from the weather, boots soiled with earth that testify to the path already travelled, a missionary cross around her neck and a pilgrim's staff. Particularly evocative is the representation of Luce's eyes, which shine with an intense light: they symbolise the hope that is born in the heart of every pilgrim, embody the desire for spirituality and connection with the divine, and serve as a reminder of a universal message of peace and fraternity.

The choice of a mascot such as Luce is part of a broader context, aimed at involving the new generations and promoting intergenerational dialogue. The mascot not only represents the Jubilee, but also becomes a symbol of community, welcome and sharing.

Further details on this post.

https://x.com/CatholicTV/status/1850904910180532432

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https://x.com/CatholicTV/status/1850904910180532432

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDf1GHcbFWU

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https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/it/notizie/comunicati/2024/luce-mascotte-ufficiale-giubileo-2025.html

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[Celso Bin Portiolli]

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mascot's WIP concept art

View attachment 6572255

Rate me autistic, but I can't even see Bridget without getting angry nowadays. The level of betrayal was insane.

 

[FierceBrosnan]

Since the Muslims bitch about Mohammed's face being show, they could make him the protagonist of one those self-insert visual novels.
Though for historical accuracy, the datable characters would all have to be lolis.

So Unteralterbach, but with camels?

 

[Seafarer]

Looks like a knock-off of the chick from that Pixar movie about emotions.

 

[SSj_Ness (Yiffed)]

Interesting decision, but I actually don't find it sus because no Catholic priests are interested in girls.

 

[Preacher ✝]

Call me retarded but I'd buy the figure. I'm a fan of vinyl art figures and an in-progress Catholic. I think it's cute.

Don't let the prattle in this thread discourage you. Stay the path!

I wonder how many wars will be started over Luce wearing a rosary around their neck.

This in and of itself is not wrong, and whether it becomes wrong depends entirely on intention and context.

Here's a relevant excerpt from an article on Rosary Myths and Misconceptions:


TLDR: Wearing it that way with the intention of it being a piece of jewelry is wrong, but wearing it that way as a reminder to pray or as a sign of devotion is fine. In some cultures it's quite common.

Given that this is an officially sanctioned mascot I am inclined to say it's intentions are good and this is fine.

 

[6MillionCoofs]

I just want the figure because I think it’s funny.

 

[Badungus Kabungus]

Basically all of the current jewish philosophical and theological thought is based off the Kabbalah which has almost no foundation before the 11th century. Even the symbol you put on your kike flag is a falsification from the same era.

Your entire religion is based on a fake faggot book that is just fake faggots such as yourself arguing with one another about fake faggotry. Which once you get past the monolith of supposed truths that self-represent islam, and dig into the minutaeta, is guess what, fake faggot lawyer shit, just like your fake faggot shit. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Joseph hates you, because you follow a fake, faggot book instead of the Living God.

Okay Abdullah. As if I greatly care about the opinion of a heathen Mohammedian, whose beliefs are a crude parody of both Judaism and Christianity, stolen and twisted by primitive desert bandits into a mockery of true religion, used by savages to justify their own evil actions.

I just want the figure because I think it’s funny.

It's not quite as funny without a creepy old man greedily clutching at it. But I can see the figure selling well.

 

[WelperHelper99]

You know they nailed it when the memes are flowing and dunking on the soyboys.

 

[BerserkKing99]

Rate me autistic, but I can't even see Bridget without getting angry nowadays. The level of betrayal was insane.

don't be. don't let troons revision history. Even the Japanese still see Bridget as a trap. (its rather ironic troons try to claim Bridget as a trans icon yet most troons are satanist larpers and reddit atheists and Bridget is a Christian Cross Dressing Male Nun)

 

[Badungus Kabungus]

View attachment 6572337
You know they nailed it when the memes are flowing and dunking on the soyboys.

My biggest problem with the whole concept, pedo jokes aside, is that Christian art went from this to making knock-off Funko Pops. There's a significant downtrend there.

 

[Preacher ✝]

My biggest problem with the whole concept, pedo jokes aside, is that Christian art went from this to making knock-off Funko Pops. There's a significant downtrend there.
View attachment 6572395

In the actual context of being a mascot aimed at youth specifically for an expo in Japan it's totally fine and should not be seen as a downtrend in religious art as a whole.

If you want to complain about that at least use the works of someone like Jen Norton as an example.

https://www.jennortonartstudio.com/featured-catholic-art-gallery/

Even then, while it's not what I would call good, its hardly offensive.

 

[WelperHelper99]

My biggest problem with the whole concept, pedo jokes aside, is that Christian art went from this to making knock-off Funko Pops. There's a significant downtrend there.
View attachment 6572395

Different art for different eras. Time stands still for no one.
----
Edit: I wasn't the only one to think Luce was a Type Moon reference

 

[Soycast Guy]

It looks like shit. Do a catholic priest holding guns as your mascot instead. It would look cool as shit, and appeals to kids more.

 

[Badungus Kabungus]

In the actual context of being a mascot aimed at youth specifically for an expo in Japan it's totally fine and should not be seen as a downtrend in religious art as a whole.

If you want to complain about that at least use the works of someone like Jen Norton as an example.

https://www.jennortonartstudio.com/featured-catholic-art-gallery/

Well, that's just one example. But those linked works are pretty awful too. Modern art in general has been in a massive downtrend too, especially in terms of technique and complexity. It's just a shame it has influenced religious art too. Also, anime is still cringe.

 

[PS1gamenwatch]

Since the Muslims bitch about Mohammed's face being show, they could make him the protagonist of one those self-insert visual novels.
Though for historical accuracy, the datable characters would all have to be lolis.

So Unteralterbach, but with camels?

So what do the Jews and Hindus get?

 

[CallmeCicada]

What on the actual fuck?

Great job, surely no one is going to call you idol worshippers and pedophiles again...

Took the words out of my mouth.

At least it's not a trap, right?

...Right?

Surprised its not a shota

Not yet, give coom artists 24 hours.

>Church unveils inoffensive cartoon mascot for literal Children

Regardless it's strange for any Religion to have an official mascot imo. It's not offensive, but it's just really weird. Especially because it's the Catholic church and cute anime characters are not the fist thing that come to mind.

I eagerly await seeing fanart of her beating the shit outta demons.

The exact opposite is probably going to happen, or worse, see above.

My biggest problem with the whole concept, pedo jokes aside, is that Christian art went from this to making knock-off Funko Pops. There's a significant downtrend there.
View attachment 6572395

A lot of art during the Renaissance was commissioned by merchant groups (Michelangelo's David for example) is essentially an advertisement of how wealthy they (the merchants) were that commissioned it. Yes the two are vastly different from each other (lol), but essentially serve the same purpose which is PR and advertisement. You make your ad what grabs peoples attention, people today are consumer minded so you follow the same visual language. Yes it's weird as fuck, but when you put things like the image you posted into its historical context and what it's contemporary purpose was, there are a lot of parallels with Luce in that they are both made for similar reasons.

 

[Preacher ✝]

Well, that's just one example. But those linked works are pretty awful too. Modern art in general has been in a massive downtrend too, especially in terms of technique and complexity. It's just a shame it has influenced religious art too. Also, anime is still cringe.

Indeed it's a shame that overall trends in art have influenced religious art but its hardly unexpected. Significant trends in art tend to affect all of art in one way or another. The good news is that the old art isnt going anywhere.

Regardless it's strange for any Religion to have an official mascot imo. It's not offensive, but it's just really weird. Especially because it's the Catholic church and cute anime characters are not the fist thing that come to mind.

Luce is not a mascot for all of Catholicism, she's a mascot for the Jubilee of 2025 and the Holy See's 2025 pavilion expo in Japan specifically, and one aimed at youth for that matter. In that context a little cute anime character is fine.

 

[Badungus Kabungus]

A lot of art during the Renaissance was commissioned by merchant groups (Michelangelo's David for example) is essentially an advertisement of how wealthy they (the merchants) were that commissioned it. Yes the two are vastly different for each other (lol), but essentially serve the same purpose which is PR and advertisement. You make your ad what grabs peoples attention, people today are consumer minded so you follow the same visual language. Yes it's weird as fuck, but when you put things like the image you posted into its historical context and what it's contemporary purpose was, there are a lot of parallels with Luce in that they are both made for similar reasons.

Contextually it makes sense. I was thinking more in terms of technique, style, and complexity of the subject matter, considering the amount of work and thought that went into a Renaissance-era artwork.

 

[Agent Abe Caprine]

It looks like shit. Do a catholic priest holding guns as your mascot instead. It would look cool as shit, and appeals to kids more.

Alexander Anderson isn't badass enough for you?

 

[FierceBrosnan]

So what do the Jews and Hindus get?

The Jews had Little St. James island. They don't get anymore.

Seeing as how Hindi men outnumber Hindi women 20 -1 I figure it would be something like Fear and Hunger what with all the rape and starvation... but with way more shit.