So some of you might have seen a trend as the Vatican announces their plans to bring god and anime on their side in real life.

The mascot is called Luce, cute anime girl with religious aspects to it.

But mama mia why did they do this for their event next year? It just seems totally unreal and I feel like I’m living in a simulation.

Never have i thought these zealous buggers would use anime influences in a bajillion years

  • Omega_Jimes@lemmy.ca
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    10 days ago

    A couple years ago they introduced Buddy Christ to try and drum up some interest but it didn’t go anywhere.

    Also, why would a religious institution with a modern problem with child abuse is a child as an icon, seems pretty unaware.

  • mononomi@feddit.nl
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    10 days ago

    Didn’t believe you when reading this, apparently it is? Character doesn’t look that weird and I’m completely surprised the vatican is modernizing this much

    Luce the raincoat-clad anime girl in chibi style, meaning short, cutesy characters with big heads and stubby limbs

        • Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world
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          10 days ago

          Now see, my instinct is to just say “no…it must be AI. This doesn’t make sense. It feels very off.”

          But then I remembered the last 8-23 years (depending on perspective) have felt very odd. And unrealistic.

          Now add in tools that distort reality, and create false digital existences, and I have no more gauge for how to judge whats real. Are you real? Am I real? Am I in a coma? Are we in someone elses coma?

          Who’s to say?

  • sunflowercowboy@feddit.org
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    9 days ago

    The mascot was specifically made to represent the Holy See at a Japanese expo. It’s essentially the Vatican’s government. Merchandise like this has always been a thing, it’s just this is an official endorsement.

  • Fleur_@lemm.ee
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    10 days ago

    He didn’t announce them. They came to us from God. They are here to help us attain a heavenly life.

    • Codilingus@sh.itjust.works
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      9 days ago

      “Yo big G, can you help us? Our planet is dying!” “Best I can do is official Catholic anime girl.” “Understandable have a nice day.”

  • sho@ani.social
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    10 days ago

    The Pope learn that he were no match for the power of fumo so he brought about a fumo of his own creation to gain the power of fumo for the great fumo war

  • Etterra@lemmy.world
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    10 days ago

    It’s a marketing strategy. They have a product and they’re trying to expand into an un/under-exploited market. What the product is just so happened to be religion, which is increasingly unpopular, archaic, restrictive, controlling, and fictional. They have fairly stringent rules and since the anime mascot doesn’t violate them, they’ll try it out and see if there’s any returns.

    It’s a pretty low investment, and it’s not even close to the first cartoon character made specifically to try and hook kids to a religion. It’s only noteworthy because the format is slightly different than past efforts.

  • RangerJosie@lemmy.world
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    10 days ago

    Cuz like every major religion they’re hemorrhaging believers and thus, money. Time to shake up the recruitment protocols.

    • Eiri@lemmy.ca
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      10 days ago

      Come to think of it, I’ve heard that all my life but never questioned it. Is it really true for all of them?

      • I Cast Fist@programming.dev
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        10 days ago

        That religions are hemorrhaging believers? I think that depends a lot on region and general population wealth. Prosperity gospel shit (the more you donate, the more god will reward you) keeps attracting new believers thanks to their scammy tactics and promises, especially as anyone that “fails” to succeed just lacked faith (didn’t donate enough) - this is especially true in poorer places.

  • baldingpudenda@lemmy.world
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    10 days ago

    Archbishop Fisichella also unveiled the official mascot of the Holy Year 2025: “Luce” (Italian for light), a cartoon pilgrim dressed in a yellow raincoat, mud-stained boots, wearing a missionary cross and holding a pilgrim’s staff. Luce’s glowing eyes feature the shape of scallop shells, a traditional symbol of pilgrimage and hope.

    The mascot, he said, was inspired by the church’s desire “to live even within the pop culture so beloved by our youth.”

    Source :the dialog

    Seems they’re trying evangelize the kids and are going to where they are. Gives me Buddy Christ vibes to be honest.

  • dragontamer@lemmy.world
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    10 days ago

    The Jubilee is a time of celebration for Catholics.

    Traditionally, the Jubilee is held every 25 or 50 years and is a time to celebrate progress, free slaves (back when slaves were legal), forgive sins, etc etc.

    In a great celebration, it makes sense to add a bit of pop culture flair. It’s also common to focus on children and youth outreach during the Jubilee and an anime character does a lot for that.