The Vatican may be rooted in centuries-old traditions, but the newest occupant of the papal throne appears to be striding confidently into the digital age—literally, with a smartwatch on his wrist. On May 8, Robert Francis Prevost made history by becoming the first American to be elected as head of the Catholic Church, taking the papal name Pope Leo XIV. The solemnity of his first official mass was momentarily upstaged by a surprising modern detail that caught the attention of keen-eyed spectators across the globe: a sleek, familiar gadget peeking out from beneath his papal robes.
A Pope With a Pulse on Tech
As Pope Leo XIV stood before thousands of worshippers in St. Peter’s Basilica, a flash of what appeared to be an Apple Watch emerged from under his white sleeve. The image quickly went viral after being shared by tech publication 9to5Mac, which posted the photo on Instagram alongside a caption that ignited a frenzy of speculation: “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. It's not clear which model this is. Any guesses?”
And guess they did. From Apple Watch SE to high-end Swiss military watches and even Casio throwbacks, social media was abuzz with debates and cheeky comments. “Good to know he's Team Apple,” wrote one amused user. “Android users are hating even harder now,” quipped another.
Not His First Time Wearing It
It didn’t take long for Reddit sleuths to unearth more “evidence.” One user posted an older photograph of Leo XIV blessing a parishioner before his elevation to the papacy, where he was wearing what appeared to be the same smartwatch. “During his first Holy Mass, Pope Leo XIV sported an Apple Watch, which he had worn previously before being elected a Cardinal,” the post noted, suggesting that his love for tech isn’t exactly new.
At 69 years old, Pope Leo XIV isn’t necessarily the demographic marketers associate with the latest wearable gadgets, but in the age of digital wellness and health tracking, the choice might be more functional than fashionable. With fall detection, heart rate monitoring, and emergency alerts, smartwatches are proving indispensable for older adults—and it seems even the Holy Father isn’t above embracing a little innovation.
From Tradition to Tech: A Modern Pontiff Emerges
While conspiracy theorists spin tales about his reign possibly marking the last chapter in papal prophecy, and AI tools like ChatGPT estimating he’ll serve “for several years,” the broader public appears far more fascinated by his smartwatch than any apocalyptic lore.
Could this be the beginning of a more digitally inclined Vatican? Will we see papal tweets sent straight from the Apple Watch? Only time—and perhaps tech—will tell.
A Pope With a Pulse on Tech
As Pope Leo XIV stood before thousands of worshippers in St. Peter’s Basilica, a flash of what appeared to be an Apple Watch emerged from under his white sleeve. The image quickly went viral after being shared by tech publication 9to5Mac, which posted the photo on Instagram alongside a caption that ignited a frenzy of speculation: “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. It's not clear which model this is. Any guesses?”
And guess they did. From Apple Watch SE to high-end Swiss military watches and even Casio throwbacks, social media was abuzz with debates and cheeky comments. “Good to know he's Team Apple,” wrote one amused user. “Android users are hating even harder now,” quipped another.
Not His First Time Wearing It
It didn’t take long for Reddit sleuths to unearth more “evidence.” One user posted an older photograph of Leo XIV blessing a parishioner before his elevation to the papacy, where he was wearing what appeared to be the same smartwatch. “During his first Holy Mass, Pope Leo XIV sported an Apple Watch, which he had worn previously before being elected a Cardinal,” the post noted, suggesting that his love for tech isn’t exactly new.
At 69 years old, Pope Leo XIV isn’t necessarily the demographic marketers associate with the latest wearable gadgets, but in the age of digital wellness and health tracking, the choice might be more functional than fashionable. With fall detection, heart rate monitoring, and emergency alerts, smartwatches are proving indispensable for older adults—and it seems even the Holy Father isn’t above embracing a little innovation.
From Tradition to Tech: A Modern Pontiff Emerges
While conspiracy theorists spin tales about his reign possibly marking the last chapter in papal prophecy, and AI tools like ChatGPT estimating he’ll serve “for several years,” the broader public appears far more fascinated by his smartwatch than any apocalyptic lore.
Could this be the beginning of a more digitally inclined Vatican? Will we see papal tweets sent straight from the Apple Watch? Only time—and perhaps tech—will tell.
You may also like
Atomic Kitten's Liz McClarnon, 44, pregnant after decades-long fertility struggle
Andy Murray has already named his next four coaching options after Novak Djokovic split
Jamie Carragher's Anthony Gordon comments come back to haunt him in Trent Alexander-Arnold saga
Will these 5 youngsters be able to save Team India, who will be responsible after Kohli-Rohit's retirement?
Trinny London bronzer now under £5 in huge deal that saves you £170 on summer must-haves
