The Vatican presented its new mascot: will promote the church at the comics festival (photo).

The Vatican has introduced its new animated mascot named "Luce". It will represent the Catholic Church at Expo-2025 in Osaka, Japan. This was reported by the Vatican press service.

Luce is created to attract a young audience. The mascot depicts a child pilgrim with a missionary cross, staff, and boots, dusty from a long journey. In the eyes of the character, one can notice a reflection in the shape of a shell – a symbol of the pilgrimage route of Saint James to the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain. Pilgrims traditionally collect these shells as souvenirs.

The mascot is prepared for the Holy Year 2025 (also known as Jubilee 2025) – a global pilgrimage event held every 25 years. Believers who make a pilgrimage to Rome during this year and pass through the Holy Doors will be able to receive a plenary indulgence under certain conditions.

Recall that the synod of bishops of the Catholic Church, under the leadership of Pope Francis, did not adopt the expected decisions regarding equality in the church, in particular, not allowing the ordination of women as deacons.