People couldn’t believe their eyes when they noticed something unusual on Pope Leo’s wrist during a recent mass. It wasn’t the traditional robe or the ceremonial setting that got everyone talking—it was the fact that he was wearing an Apple Watch.
This isn’t the first time fans have noticed it either. Ever since Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, stepped into his role on May 8, he’s been seen with the smartwatch on multiple occasions. At 69 years old, it’s pretty unexpected for the leader of the Catholic Church to be wearing modern tech like this, especially during something as formal as a religious service.
While many people wear fitness watches every day, seeing one on the pope has sparked a mix of amusement and surprise. On social media, people have called it surreal, funny, and even iconic. One person said they laugh every time they see it, while another commented that the image of the pope with a smartwatch is almost unreal.
Soon after he was elected, pictures began to surface showing the watch peeking out from under his sleeve. Tech fans and Apple lovers quickly picked up on it, with one Instagram post even asking people to guess which model it was. It didn’t take long for news sites and fans to confirm—it was, in fact, an Apple Watch.
Digging even deeper, someone on Reddit found an older photo of Pope Leo wearing the same watch years before he became pope, showing that he’s likely been a fan of the device for quite some time.
Despite the surprise it causes online, Pope Leo has kept busy since taking on his role. He’s been holding masses and speaking out on global issues, including calling for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, and supporting humanitarian efforts. So while his Apple Watch might be getting all the attention right now, he’s clearly focused on matters much bigger than just tech fashion.
