Pope Leo XIV is the 267th Pontiff. Credit: Vatican Pool / Getty
Over the weekend, people worldwide did double takes during Holy Mass.
They spotted an unexpected accessory on Pope Leo XIV.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago, became Pope Leo XIV on May 8.
He’s already made his mark as a visible and vocal Catholic Church leader.
Just weeks into his role, 69-year-old Pope Leo XIV has already made bold moves.
He called for peace in Ukraine, demanded a Gaza ceasefire with hostage releases and aid,
and praised the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement.
But diplomacy wasn’t what stole the spotlight at his recent Mass.
Tech fashion did.
While in full papal robes, Pope Leo wore an Apple Watch.
The internet lit up.
“Him wearing Apple Watch gets me every time,” someone posted on X.
Another said, “The Pontiff wearing an Apple Watch is a really surreal image.”
One more added, “The Apple Watch is so funny.”
One X user joked, “First Pope to wear an Apple Watch?”
Another wrote, “Never thought I’d see the Pope wear a smartwatch—let alone an Apple Watch.”
This isn’t the first sighting.
After Pope Leo’s election, 9to5Mac shared a photo showing an Apple Watch under his sleeve.
Their caption read:
“Newly elected Pope Leo XIV is making buzz in the tech and watch communities after being seen wearing an Apple Watch during his first official mass.”
They followed up with a playful question:
“It’s not clear which model this is. Any guesses?”
Apple-focused news sites quickly picked up the post.
Online sleuths confirmed it was an Apple Watch.
Reddit users found an older photo of Cardinal Prevost blessing a parishioner, wearing the same watch.
One Redditor joked:
“Looking forward to new Apple commercials.
‘As the Pope, I stay active, and Apple Watch helps me do that.
I love completing my rings before confession.’”
The papal buzz didn’t stop with tech.
Another viral moment came from Vice President JD Vance at Pope Leo’s inauguration on May 18.
During Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vance met the Pontiff in an official role.
After a handshake and brief chat, Vance lightly patted Pope Leo’s elbow.
Many found this “protocol-breaking” and jarring.
A critic wrote,
“J.D. Vance embarrassed himself at the Vatican by patting Pope Leo XIV on the shoulder like a drinking buddy after the papal inauguration Mass.”
Another called the gesture “almost condescending,”
comparing it to “patting a puppy’s head before moving along.”
Strict Vatican etiquette governs visits to the Holy See, per MetroWest.
Conservative dress is required.
Formal introductions are needed to speak with the pope.
Touching the Pontiff is limited to handshakes or kissing the ring unless invited otherwise.
Vance’s casual elbow pat crossed this line.
This wasn’t his first Vatican misstep.
In April, during a visit with the late Pope Francis, Vance faced criticism for taking photos inside the Sistine Chapel, where photography is banned.
Tension surrounds Vance’s encounter with Pope Leo because the pope has criticized U.S. Republican politics, especially Trump-linked policies.
Pope Leo, the first American Pontiff, retweeted posts opposing Trump-era immigration rules.
He also criticized government treatment of refugees.
In one tweet, he called Vance “wrong” about a Christian concept.
Vance told The Independent, “I try not to play the politicization of the Pope game.”
On radio, he added, “I’m sure [Pope Leo] will say things I love and things I disagree with.
I’ll continue to pray for him and the Church despite it all.”
