With her good face and her look straight out of the manga universe, Luce has become the official mascot of the Vatican for the Jubilee 2025, celebrating the Holy Year. Not only is the image of the character not unanimously agreed upon, but the commitments of his creator, the Italian artist Simone Legno, and some of his creations offend the sensibilities of Catholics. Among Luce’s detractors, “light” in Latin, there are those who believe that it is a representation too far from Christian traditions, specifies RTL.
The little girl dressed in a yellow raincoat and muddy boots nevertheless represents a modern pilgrim. Its scallop-shaped eyes are a direct reference to Santiago de Compostela. Luce also wears a missionary cross around her neck. An editorialist from La Repubblica sees in Luce a “marketing product” more than a spiritual symbol. An opinion shared by the Fanpage site which deplores the lack of religious depth.
“Fundamental questions about the identity of the Church”
In France, Christian Tribune would have preferred that the Church refocus on figures who truly embody Christian values, instead of opting for symbols that could arouse mockery. The Catholic media speaks of “wokist marketing, to the detriment of [la] sacred mission” of the Holy See. “This worrying choice raises fundamental questions about the identity of the Church and how it adapts to a world that rejects its values”he continues.
For others, it’s not so much the appearance of the Vatican mascot that’s the problem as its creator. The Vatican entrusted the design of Luce to Tokidoki, a company specializing in products inspired by Japanese culture. It was founded by Simone Legno, an Italian artist. Aged 47, he grew up in Rome in a Catholic family. On his Instagram account, he writes: “I learned the principles of a faith based on generosity and respect for others. In my work, I have the chance to engage with the many cultures of the world, constantly seeking a contemporary and universal language which I strive to introduce into my compositions.”
But some Catholics take a dim view of its commitments to the LGBT+ community. Others don’t take it easy since they know that the artist has signed vibrators, including one with the image of the devil, reports Le Progrès.
