People around the globe were left doing double takes over the weekend after spotting an unexpected accessory on Pope Leo XIV during Holy Mass.
Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost - who officially took the papal name Pope Leo XIV on May 8 - has quickly become a visible and vocal leader of the Catholic Church.
Just weeks into his role, the 69-year-old pontiff has called for a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” demanded a ceasefire in Gaza with the “release of hostages and delivery of humanitarian aid,” and welcomed a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.
But it wasn’t global diplomacy that captured attention during his recent Mass. It was tech fashion.
“The Apple Watch Is So Funny”
While donning the traditional papal attire, Pope Leo was also seen wearing an Apple Watch, and the internet couldn’t get enough of it.
“Him wearing Apple Watch gets me every time,” one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another chimed in: “The Pontiff wearing an Apple Watch is a really surreal image.” A third added: “The Apple Watch is so funny.”
One X user jokingly asked "First Pope to wear an Apple Watch?" As another penned: "Never thought I would see the pope wear a smart watch, let alone an Apple Watch."
This isn’t the first time the gadget has made an appearance. After Pope Leo was elected, 9to5Mac shared an image of him with what looked to be an Apple Watch peeking out from under his sleeve.
Their caption read: “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.”
They followed with a question that sparked debate: “It’s not clear which model this is. Any guesses?”
The post was quickly picked up by Apple-centric news sites, prompting many online sleuths to confirm it was indeed an Apple Watch. Reddit users even uncovered an older photo of Pope Leo — then Cardinal Prevost — blessing a parishioner with the same watch visible on his wrist.
One Redditor even joked: "Looking forward to the new Apple commercials. 'As the Pope I like to stay active and Apple Watch helps me do that. I love completing my rings before confession.'"
JD Vance Criticized for “Overly Familiar” Gesture Toward the Pope
The papal buzz didn’t stop at high-tech accessories.
Another viral moment from Pope Leo’s inauguration involved Vice President JD Vance, who met the new Pontiff on Sunday, May 18, during the Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Vance, attending the event in an official capacity, found himself at the center of controversy after what many deemed a “protocol-breaking” moment.
After exchanging a handshake and brief conversation with Pope Leo, Vance reached out and lightly patted him on the elbow — a move some observers found jarring.
“J.D. Vance embarrassed himself again at the Vatican when he attempted to pat Pope Leo XIV on the shoulder like a drinking buddy in St. Peter’s Basilica after the papal inauguration mass,” one critic wrote.
Another viewer slammed the gesture as “almost condescending,” comparing it to “patting a puppy’s head before moving along.”
Breaking Vatican Etiquette
According to MetroWest, strict Vatican protocols govern visits to the Holy See.
Conservative attire is expected, conversation with the pope requires formal introductions, and most notably, touching the Pontiff is strictly limited to handshakes or kissing the papal ring — unless explicitly invited to do more.
Vance’s casual elbow pat appeared to cross that line.
This isn't his first Vatican faux pas. In April, during a visit with the late Pope Francis—who passed away hours later at age 88 — Vance drew criticism for snapping photos inside the Sistine Chapel, where photography is strictly prohibited.
Past Political Tension With the Papacy
Adding more intrigue to Vance's encounter with Pope Leo is the fact that the Pope had previously criticized U.S. Republican politics, particularly those linked to Donald Trump.
Pope Leo, the first American Pontiff in history, had retweeted statements opposing Trump-era immigration policies and criticized government treatment of refugees. In one instance, he even shared an article taking aim at Vance, stating the Vice President was “wrong” about a specific “Christian concept.”
Responding to the resurfaced tweets, Vance told The Independent: “I try not to play the politicization of the Pope game.” He later added on radio: “I’m sure [Pope Leo] he’s going to say a lot of things that I love. I’m sure he’ll say some things that I disagree with, but I’ll continue to pray for him and the Church despite it all and through it all.”