The Vatican has revealed a new anime mascot named Luce.

Are you ready to meet the newest member of the Vatican family? Say hello to Luce - the official mascot for the 2025 Jubilee, set to kick off on Christmas Eve. It may sound unbelievable, but this adorable doll is actually inspired by the Catholic Church's desire to connect with the youth and be a part of their beloved pop culture.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the chief organizer of the Holy Year 2025, unveiled Luce to the world. The name Luce, meaning "Light" in Italian, perfectly represents the Catholic pilgrim that she is supposed to embody. With her bright yellow rain jacket, muddied boots, and rosary, Luce's image also includes traditional symbols of Catholicism. Her outfit is a tribute to the Vatican flag, symbolizing the journey through life's storms.

But it's not just her appearance that makes Luce so special. The cartoon's eyes are shaped like scallop shells, which hold great significance in the Catholic religion as symbols of pilgrimage and hope. Luce was designed by Simone Legno, the founder of the popular Japanese-inspired lifestyle brand, tokidoki, in Italy. Many have compared her to an anime character, adding to her appeal among the younger generation.

Excitingly, Luce will make her debut this week at Lucca Comics and Games, Italy's renowned convention for all things comics, video games, and fantasy. The Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelization will have a dedicated space for Luce and her friends at the convention, according to the Catholic News Agency. This marks the first time that a Vatican dicastery will participate in a comics convention.

Archbishop Fisichella, who is also the pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization's section for the new evangelization, hopes that Luce's presence at the convention will allow them to reach out to the younger generation and spread the message of hope - a central theme in the evangelical message. But that's not all - Luce will also be the face of the Holy See's pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. She will represent the Vatican's pavilion theme, "Beauty Brings Hope," alongside the famous painting by Caravaggio, "The Entombment of Christ," which will be on loan from the Vatican Museums for the expo.

So, keep an eye out for Luce! With her bright spirit and lovable appearance, she is sure to capture the hearts of many and spread the message of hope and beauty wherever she goes.

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