Pope Leo XIV made headlines during his first public appearance not just for his appointment, but for his choice of wristwear. Eagle-eyed observers noticed the Pope sporting an Apple Watch, a device more commonly associated with tech enthusiasts than religious leaders. The sight of the Apple Watch on the Pope’s wrist sparked a debate among horology enthusiasts.
The mystery was eventually put to rest by self-described “expert watch spotter” Nick Gould, who confirmed that “during his first Holy Mass, Pope Leo XIV sported an Apple Watch, which he had worn before being elected a Cardinal.
A photo shared by Reddit user Alexander Humbolt shows Pope Leo XIV blessing an elderly parishioner, with the Apple Watch clearly visible. While the image isn’t sharp enough to confirm whether the Pope had closed his activity rings for the day, the new leader of the Vatican, known for its numerous staircases, will surely have ample opportunities to stay active. Pope Leo XIV’s choice reflects a growing trend of integrating modern technology with tradition.
His visible embrace of current tech highlights a broader narrative of the Catholic Church adapting to contemporary times while maintaining its age-old traditions. Robert Francis Prevost, 69, has become the 267th occupant of the throne of St. Peter and will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
He is the first American to fill the role, with a storied background that combines American roots and extensive missionary work in Peru. Born in Chicago in 1955 to parents of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent, Leo grew up in a devout Catholic family. He served as an altar boy and was ordained in 1982.
Pope’s wristwear sparks debate
He moved to Peru in 1985 and spent many years there, working closely with marginalized communities and helping build societal bridges. After some time in the United States, he returned to Peru in 1988 to continue working.
By 2014, he had been appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, by Pope Francis. He later became well-known among church leaders for his significant role as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, which manages the selection and supervision of bishops. In his first words as Pope, Leo XIV spoke fondly of his predecessor, Francis, indicating a likely continuation of many reforms. Cardinal Prevost has supported Pope Francis’ progressive declarations, including those permitting blessings for same-sex couples, though he emphasizes that interpretations should align with local cultures and contexts.
Leo XIV has also been vocal about environmental issues, advocating for concrete measures, such as installing solar panels and adopting electric vehicles at the Vatican. However, Leo XIV’s tenure as Bishop of Chiclayo was not without controversy. Accusations have been made regarding his handling of sexual abuse cases.
Three Peruvian women claimed he failed to investigate and punish a priest accused of sexually abusing them. The ecclesiastical district and the Vatican initially dismissed these allegations due to insufficient evidence, but a local prosecutor has since reopened the investigation following media reports. As the new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV faces the dual challenge of leading a global religious institution while addressing internal controversies and broader societal issues.
His background and firm stance on many progressive reforms indicate a potentially transformative period ahead for the Catholic Church.
Image Credits: Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash
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