Featured Image Credit: Francesco Sforza Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images
Topics: Apple, Health, Pope Leo, Technology, Social Media, Pope Francis
Mia Williams
Topics: Apple, Health, Pope Leo, Technology, Social Media, Pope Francis
Pope Leo wore a surprising tech accessory for his first mass as the newly-elected pope, and it's got many people all saying the same thing.
It was announced just last week (8 May) that Robert Francis Prevost is the new head of the Catholic Church, and will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
As far as popes go, Pope Francis was widely renowned as the most progressive leader the Catholic Church has ever seen.
And while the newly-elected Pope Leo is set to follow closely in his footsteps, he might have just taken the Church one step further into the future.
Advert
During his first mass, which took place the day after the announcement (9 May), users online all realised an interesting detail from the pictures taken.
It seemed that Leo was in fact wearing an Apple Watch for his first mass delivery - a definite first for a pope.
While it's not clear what model of watch he was wearing, it's safe to say some catholics were a big fan of the tech accessory.
Taking to Instagram, one joked: "We as Catholics know what quality is."
Amid the ongoing battle between Apple and Android users, one person believed that this move settles the debate.
They said: "Apple = heaven, Android = hell; If the Pope said, it’s the law."
"Good to know he’s Team Apple," another noted.
A fourth joked: "Gotta close those rings baby."
But some Catholics weren't in favour of the move to technology.
One said: "From my understanding from my time as a Catholic, the priests aren’t supposed to have flashy or excessive possessions.
"Not that I personally care about it of course, but that might be why others care about it."
But others pointed out the medical benefits of wearing an Apple Watch.
"Those watches save lives," another noted.
"They alert people of irregular heart patterns. Not sure if he has heart issues, but I’m not mad about him having the watch."
Another agreed, and added: "My priest also wears one. It was a gift to him. It also monitors his health."
This does seem like an important point, as while you only need to be over 35 years old to become pope, most eligible cardinals are well into old age, and many have had to deal with an increased risk of health complications.
Health issues even ultimately led to Pope Benedict's resignation in 2013, as, aged 85, he cited a 'lack of strength of mind and body' before being replaced by Pope Francis.
Just months before his death, Pope Francis himself was treated for five weeks in hospital after suffering with pneumonia.
In a statement announcing his death, Cardinal Kevin Ferrell of the Vatican said: "At 7.35 this morning (21 April), the bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.
"His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalised."