On October 28, the authorities of the Vatican presented the mascot of the Jubilee 2025, a worldwide event held every 25 years in Rome to welcome pilgrims. The mascot, called 'Luce,' designed by illustrator Simone Legno, has generated various reactions on social media.
'Luce' has a look influenced by K-pop and anime from Asian culture, aiming to attract younger generations. The Holy See described 'Luce' as a pilgrim dressed in typical traveler's elements, such as a yellow raincoat, dirty boots, a cross around the neck, and a pilgrim's staff.
Although 'Luce' is officially identified as female, questions about her gender identity have arisen on social media, with some users interpreting the mascot as a male or even a child, which has sparked debate.
The choice of Simone Legno as the designer of 'Luce' has also raised controversy, as Legno is known for his work with the Tokidoki brand, which sells anime figurines and promotes LGBT+ community values. Some internet users have pointed out that the inclusion of anime in the mascot's image could contradict the Vatican's traditional ideals, given that this style of animation often addresses themes considered inappropriate by the Holy See, such as gore and hentai.
In response to the criticisms and debates on social media, edited images of 'Luce' emerged that represented her in ways different from the official one. Part of the controversy has revolved around the alleged 'forced inclusion' of elements that could be at odds with the values defended by the Vatican.
