Pope Leo XIV may have just stepped into his new role as head of the Catholic Church, but he’s already causing a stir — and not for the reasons you might expect.
Over the weekend, eagle-eyed viewers tuning in to watch the Holy Mass noticed an unexpected twist in the Pontiff’s otherwise traditional appearance. While dressed in customary papal robes, the 69-year-old spiritual leader was also wearing something a bit more modern: an Apple Watch.
Pope Leo XIV seated after having received the Ring of the Fisherman and the pallium, Photo Credit: Knights of Columbus/X
Yes, you read that correctly — the Vicar of Christ appears to be keeping time (and possibly tracking his steps) with a smartwatch. And once the image hit social media, reactions came flooding in.
“The Pope wearing an Apple Watch gets me every time,” one user posted on X, formerly Twitter, clearly amused by the blend of ancient ceremony and modern tech.
Another added, “The Pontiff rocking an Apple Watch? That’s such a surreal image,” while others simply found it hilarious. “I can’t get over this,” one user said. “It’s just too funny.”
Pope Leo XIV waves from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Photo Credit: Vatican Report/X
Pope Leo XIV, born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, officially took on the papal title earlier this month. Since assuming the position, he has made early moves to advocate for peace, calling for a lasting resolution to the war in Ukraine and demanding an urgent ceasefire in Gaza — including the release of hostages and unfettered humanitarian access. He also welcomed the newly negotiated ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
Though his diplomatic efforts are gaining international attention, it was the small screen on his wrist that captured the internet’s imagination this week.
Pope Leo XIV elevating the Body of Christ in a mass, Photo Credit: Goran Majić/X
Tech-focused sites quickly joined in. The Apple news site 9to5Mac posted a close-up photo of the Pope wearing the smartwatch during Mass. “Newly elected Pope Leo XIV is making waves in both the tech and faith communities after appearing to wear an Apple Watch at his first official service,” the post read.
Speculation soon followed. “Can anyone guess which model it is?” one tech outlet asked, triggering a guessing game among Apple enthusiasts online.
Pope Leo XIV elevating the Body of Christ in a mass wearing a fitness watch, Photo Credit: cassie/X
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the Apple Watch has been seen on the Pope’s wrist. Online investigators dug up past images of then-Cardinal Prevost blessing churchgoers — with the unmistakable strap of a smartwatch visible on his wrist.
So while Pope Leo XIV is busy shepherding the Church into a new era of moral leadership, he may also be ushering the Vatican into the digital age — one notification at a time.
