During a recent Holy Mass, viewers were surprised to spot an unusual accessory on Pope Leo XIV—an Apple Watch. The 69-year-old, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost from Chicago, had just begun his papacy on May 8. While delivering powerful messages on global peace, calling for ceasefires in Ukraine and Gaza, many couldn’t help but notice the sleek smartwatch peeking out from under his traditional robes.
Though Apple Watches are common, seeing one on the wrist of the Pope felt surreal to many. Social media lit up with reactions ranging from amused to baffled. “The Pontiff wearing an Apple Watch is a really surreal image,” one user wrote, while another joked, “It gets me every time.” The sight of the tech accessory contrasted sharply with the historic and sacred setting of the Mass.
