Newly appointed Pope Leo XIV—formerly Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost—stole the spotlight on May 28 when he deftly caught a cloth doll mid-air, tossed by a White Sox fan as he rode through St. Peter’s Square in the popemobile. The doll, dressed in papal attire, was a playful tribute to his first appearance as pontiff—but the moment quickly went viral for more than just its charm.
While many applauded the Pope’s smooth, one-handed grab as a display of American flair and good humor, social media lit up with questions about security. “Adorable, but his security is definitely slipping,” one user posted, echoing a broader concern about potential risks during public appearances.
Since his welcome to the papacy on May 8, Pope Leo has quickly made his mark. He’s called for peace in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and praised a historic peace agreement between India and Pakistan. He has also addressed the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence, drawing a bold comparison to Pope Leo XIII’s landmark 1891 encyclical on the Industrial Revolution.
“The Church must respond to AI as it once did to industrialization,” Pope Leo declared, reaffirming a commitment to human dignity, justice, and moral leadership in a rapidly changing world. He also honored Pope Francis for his humility and service, calling him a model for modern leadership.
As the world watches the new pope blend tradition with a distinctly contemporary voice, one thing is clear: Pope Leo XIV isn’t afraid to catch whatever comes his way—even mid-air.
