The Internet Responds to Pope’s “Unreal” Attire
Over the past weekend, there was quite a bit of buzz surrounding not a new papal decree, but a certain accessory worn by the recently anointed Pope Leo XIV.
Observers quickly noticed that the former Chicago native, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was sporting an Apple Watch during a Holy Mass, sparking interest and amusement among internet users.
At 69 years old, Pope Leo XIV was officially sworn into his position on May 8. Since then, he has attracted media coverage not just for his technological accessory but for his calls for peace, the release of captives, and demands for increased humanitarian efforts in territories like Gaza and Ukraine.
Even as he celebrated a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, it wasn’t geopolitics capturing the limelight—technology was at the forefront.
The images that went viral show the Pope in his traditional papal robes, extending a blessing to the congregation while an Apple Watch clung to his left wrist.
Social media quickly caught onto this, as users on sites like X shared their reactions. “I always find it funny when he wears an Apple Watch,” one user commented, reflecting the generally lighthearted sentiment.
“The image of the pontiff wearing an Apple Watch is really surreal,” noted another, while one quipped, “The Apple Watch is hilarious.” This isn’t the first time the Pope’s wristwear has become a talking point.
Sharp-eyed members of the digital community picked up on glimpses of the device during several events following his papal election.
In fact, 9to5Mac, a site dedicated to all things Apple, uploaded a detailed photo on Instagram, fueling further discussion in the comments.
The caption read, “Newly appointed Pope Leo XIV, after being spotted wearing an Apple Watch during his inaugural Mass, is causing a stir among tech enthusiasts and watch aficionados alike.” However, the exact model of the watch continues to be a mystery. Can you guess which one it is?
Apple-focused news outlets were quick to report this development, confirming what many had already suspected: the Pope seems to be quite the Apple Watch aficionado.
A Reddit user even managed to dig up an old photograph where an Apple Watch adorned Leo XIV’s wrist as he blessed a parishioner, even back before his cardinal appointment.
The post amusingly pointed out, “Pope Leo XIV wore an Apple Watch during his first Holy Mass, a watch he sported long before his cardinalship.” There’s something both amusing and fitting in the juxtaposition of sacred tradition meeting modern technology. And, let’s face it, it does make sense.
In this era, where even your grandmother might be tracking her steps on a smartwatch, shouldn’t the Pope do so as well? Perhaps the only question left unanswered is: what’s his daily step goal?
