It wasn’t a formal speech or policy announcement that captured global attention this week—it was a small, unexpected detail on the wrist of Pope Leo XIV. During a recent Mass, as he lifted his hand in blessing, cameras captured what looked unmistakably like an Apple Watch peeking out from beneath his papal robes.
The image quickly made waves across social media. Users described the moment as a surprising blend of tradition and technology, calling it “surreal” and “a perfect example of old meeting new.” One popular comment read: “Every time I see the Pope in full papal attire wearing an Apple Watch, I do a double take.”
Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago, was installed as pope on May 8, 2025. He has already become known for his outspoken calls for peace in conflict zones and his efforts to promote humanitarian dialogue. But this latest moment in the spotlight had little to do with policy—and everything to do with a subtle sign of modernity.
Photos from the event clearly show the smartwatch on his left wrist, a striking contrast to the centuries-old symbols of papal tradition. Tech enthusiasts and media outlets, including 9to5Mac, zoomed in on the images to try and identify the model. One post read: “Newly elected Pope Leo XIV is quietly turning heads in the tech world with his Apple Watch. Any guesses which series it is?”
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