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Luce was designed as a kid-friendly mascot for the Catholic Church’s upcoming 2025 Jubilee Year, which is all about hope, forgiveness, and holy pilgrimages.
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the organizer for the jubilee, says the mascot was inspired by the Catholic Church's desire "to live even within the pop culture so beloved by our youth."
Luce means “light” in Italian. The anime girl is designed to appeal to today's youth, who have grown up watching One Piece and D. Slayer. The character is rendered in the “chibi” art style, which means short, cutesy characters with big heads and stubby limbs.
Luce also appears to be a pilgrim, which is why she wears a raincoat, muddy boots, and a walking staff. These symbols symbolize her perseverance through a storm-ridden landscape.
Luce’s whole outfit is loaded with Catholic iconography and symbolism. She wears rosary beads around her neck, and her bright blue hair might refer to the Virgin Mary’s blue hair covering.
Luce also has scallop shells in her eyes, which are an iconic symbol of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, with the shell representing the way to the Cathedral.
Luce proved a pleasant surprise for anime-loving Catholics, instantly inspiring a deluge of fan art and positive commentary.
Luce was designed by Simone Legno, the Italian pop artist behind the Tokidoki brand, who takes inspiration from street graffiti and Japanese art.
Brightly colored cartoon characters are a fun, inoffensive way to appeal to the youth and the Catholic
Luce will also appear as the Vatican’s mascot at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, where she will be used to promote the theme of “Beauty Brings Hope.”
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