Luce (mascot)

Lore & Background

Luce has blue hair, blue eyes and pale skin, and wears a yellow raincoat colored in reference to the flag of the Vatican City and as a symbol for 'journeying through life's storms'. She carries a pilgrim's staff representing 'the pilgrimage toward eternity' and wears mud-stained boots to represent 'a long and difficult journey'. Her eyes have highlights in the shape of a scallop shell, a traditional symbol of Catholic pilgrimage, and her shining eyes were described as 'a symbol of the hope of the heart'. She also wears a multi-colored World Mission rosary around her neck.

Simone Legno, Luce's designer, said he hoped 'Luce can represent the sentiments that resonate in the hearts of the younger generations'. Archbishop Rino Fisichella said Luce was inspired by the Catholic Church's desire 'to live even within the pop culture so beloved by our youth'. Luce represented the Holy See at Lucca Comics & Games in 2024, the first time the Vatican officially participated in a comic convention, where a large inflatable display became a popular selfie spot. She is also scheduled to appear at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

Luce was used in several countries in Asia, including Hong Kong and Indonesia. Catholic schools distributed dolls, key chains, bookmarks, stickers, and other merchandise to students, and some schools used Luce to teach about prayer. Bishop Joseph Ha of the Diocese of Hong Kong wrote that after Luce was launched, she was immediately welcomed by church members, especially teenagers and children, and that Luce and her friends could be seen in many chapels and schools.

Reader's Guide

Luce quickly spawned Internet memes, fan art, and cosplay following her unveiling. Her design and general artstyle have been compared to anime characters, with users on Twitter joking about the Catholic Church embracing anime visuals. Comparisons were drawn to Ai Ohto from Wonder Egg Priority and Rei Ayanami from Neon Genesis Evangelion. Emanuele Vietina, director of Lucca Comics & Games, stated that Luce shared characteristics with Arale Norimaki from Dr. Slump.

Reaction among Catholics was mixed. While many approved, some traditionalist commentators criticized her as 'too modern and silly' to represent Catholicism. Some pushed back on the multi-colored rosary, claiming a resemblance to the pride flag, though the rosary's colors are from the World Mission rosary created by Fulton Sheen. Ken Iikura-Gross of Anime News Network compared the Church's use of an anime mascot to Buddy Christ from the 1999 film Dogma. Kevin Smith, director of Dogma, remarked that 'Buddy Christ winked so Luce could dilate'.

Luce's significance lies in the Catholic Church's deliberate effort to engage with youth through pop culture, marking the first Vatican participation in a comic convention. Her widespread use in Asia and the merchandise distributed in Catholic schools demonstrate her role as a tool for religious education and outreach, despite controversy over her modern aesthetic.

Did You Know?

• Luce was designed by Simone Legno, founder of the tokidoki brand.
• Her eyes have highlights shaped like a scallop shell, a traditional symbol of Catholic pilgrimage.
• The multi-colored rosary she wears is a World Mission rosary created by Fulton Sheen, not a pride flag.