Pope Leo XIV goes viral after catching doll and wearing Apple Watch during mass

Pope Leo XIV catches doll mid-ride and sports Apple Watch at mass, sparking debate over Vatican security and tech.

Pope Leo XIV has quickly become a topic of conversation online after two unexpected moments during his early papacy captured public attention.

Pope Leo XIV made the one handed catch pic.twitter.com/xiMj0hhSFw

— Pray The Rosary (@PrayTheRosary12) May 28, 2025

On May 28, during a public appearance, the newly appointed pope made an impressive one-handed catch of a cloth doll thrown by a White Sox fan as he passed by in the popemobile. The doll, dressed to resemble the pope during his first appearance at St. Peter’s Basilica, amused many—but it also raised security concerns. “Adorable but his security is definitely slipping,” one user wrote on Twitter. Another added, “This is honestly lovely to see but what is his security doing?”

This wasn’t the first time Pope Leo, formerly Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, made headlines for his unconventional moments. During a recent mass, social media users noticed the 69-year-old wearing an Apple Watch under his papal robes. While fitness watches are common accessories, seeing the pontiff donning modern tech left many online both amused and surprised. “The Pontiff wearing an Apple Watch is a really surreal image,” one commenter said. The watch has reportedly been seen in earlier images of Pope Leo before his election.

Beyond viral moments, Pope Leo XIV has actively engaged in pressing global issues since taking office on May 8. He has called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, advocated for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and welcomed the agreement between India and Pakistan. The pope also addressed the rise of artificial intelligence, drawing a parallel to Pope Leo XIII’s response to the Industrial Revolution in 1891.

While these public moments show a lighter, more relatable side to Pope Leo, his leadership continues to focus on diplomacy, humanitarian efforts, and the role of technology in shaping society.