Many on social media have pointed out a striking moment captured in photos showing Pope Leo catching an unusual gift from a member of the public.
Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was officially welcomed into his new role on May 8, taking the name Pope Leo XIV.
In his first weeks as the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo has called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, an immediate ceasefire in Gaza—with the release of hostages and delivery of humanitarian aid—and praised the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.
On Wednesday (May 28), Pope Leo gave a nod to his American roots by making a one-handed catch of a cloth doll—thrown by a Chicago White Sox fan—while riding in the popemobile.
People are pointing out the same issue (ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)
The doll appeared to be dressed similarly to when the pope first appeared on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica when he was confirmed as the next leader of the Catholic Church.
While it was certainly an impressive catch by Pope Leo, everyone online is pointing out the same issue with the whole interaction.
“Adorable but his security is definitely slipping,” one person wrote on Twitter.
A second added: “This is honestly lovely to see but what is his security doing? Seriously,” while a third remarked: “That could be dangerous….”
Pope Leo has certainly been busy in his first few weeks, with the leader of the Catholic Church even touching on the future of AI recently.
He has previously said he chose his name from Pope Leo XIII, who wrote an open letter to all Catholics in 1891 to discuss the impact the Industrial Revolution had on the lives of workers.
A remarkable catch (ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)
The current pope spoke earlier this month about the similar conundrum humanity is facing with the rise of AI.
He said: “In our own day, the church offers everyone the treasury of its social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour.”
“It has been clearly seen in the example of so many of my predecessors, and most recently by Pope Francis himself, with his example of complete dedication to service and to sober simplicity of life, his abandonment to God throughout his ministry and his serene trust at the moment of his return to the Father’s house.”
