Who is Simone Legno, the Designer of the Jubilee 2025 Mascot

Let’s get to know Simone Legno, the eclectic Italian artist and creator of Luce, the mascot of Jubilee 2025

In recent months, there has been much talk about Luce, the adorable mascot of Jubilee 2025. Some have criticised her appearance, clearly inspired by Japanese manga and anime, and therefore considered culturally at odds with the Catholic Church. Others have noted resemblances to Greta Thunberg, the environmental activist. Finally, some have criticised the choice of the creator entrusted with the task of designing the little character. This is Simone Legno, founder of the Tokidoki brand, an iconic lifestyle brand that blends elements of Japanese culture, street art, and graffiti. Beyond any controversy, we must not lose sight of a simple fact: it was the Vatican that entrusted the young artist with the task of inventing a mascot for the Holy Year. Legno immediately proposed a character inspired by pop culture, capable of bringing the Church closer to young people’s tastes, and, drawing on his experience with the brand he created, he introduced Luce.

Simone Legno, Founder of the Tokidoki Brand

Simone Legno, born in Rome in 1977 and from a Catholic family, although not a practising believer, has been collaborating for years with brands such as Hello Kitty, Karl Lagerfeld, and Marvel. From a young age, he showed a passion for drawing and a particular fascination with colours, elements that have influenced his artistic style. In 2001, with the creation of a personal website, he was able to express his art and design. This online portfolio attracted the attention of Pooneh Mohajer and Ivan Arnold, American entrepreneurs who contacted him in 2003 and convinced him to move to Los Angeles to develop his ideas and found Tokidoki, LLC. The brand was officially launched in 2005. Tokidoki, which means “sometimes” in Japanese, reflects his vision of how random encounters can change destiny. With his inspiration drawn from Japanese culture and kawaii aesthetics, Simone has helped create iconic characters that have become a global phenomenon.

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Luce, Jubilee 2025 official mascot, 10 in plush toy by Tokidoki

Luce, designed by Simone Legno with her friends Fe, Xin and Sky, is a symbol of joy, hope and positivity.

Today, Simone Legno is internationally recognised. He lives in Japan with his family and continues to be actively involved in Tokidoki’s creative process and collaborates with world-renowned brands. His dedication to art and pop culture makes him an influential figure in the contemporary scene. He also participates in cultural events and charitable initiatives worldwide, demonstrating great sensitivity towards social issues. In 2011, he took part in fundraising for the victims of the tsunami that struck Japan, contributing with his artworks and action figures of his characters.

In addition to Luce, the mascot of Jubilee 2025, he has recently created Italia Chan, the official mascot of the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, where Luce will also be present as a symbol of the Holy See’s pavilion.

Simone Legno and Luce: The Birth of the Mascot

To create Luce, the official mascot of Jubilee 2025, commissioned by the Vatican, Simone Legno drew inspiration from the Japanese culture he loves so much, particularly the world of kawaii art, a Japanese artistic style that features cute and adorable characters and objects, with soft shapes, large eyes, and pastel colours. The term “kawaii” literally means “cute,” and this style has spread worldwide, establishing itself not only in art but also in fashion and design. Kawaii characters have large, innocent eyes, sweet smiles, and this is how Luce appears, the little pilgrim who, wrapped in her yellow raincoat, embarks on the great journey of life with bright eyes in which the shell symbol of the Camino de Santiago shines. Her role is to express hope, the central symbol of Jubilee 2025, embodying all those Pilgrims of Hope preparing to experience the Holy Year with prayer and spiritual and human growth.

To also symbolise the Church’s openness to different cultures, Luce is accompanied by other characters, such as Fe, Xin, and Sky, little human friends with diverse facial features representing Asian, Latin American, and African cultures, as well as Santino, a friendly little dog symbolising faithfulness and providence, the guardian angel Iubi, and Aura, a dove of peace.

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Popsocket for smartphone, Luce and Friends, mascots by Tokidoki

This popsocket of clear acrylic is a trendy accessory perfect as gift or souvenir of the Jubilee.

The Mascot’s Presentation to Pope Francis

On 28 October 2024, Luce was officially presented to Monsignor Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation. Simone Legno personally handed a plush toy of Luce to Pope Francis, who initially observed it with some perplexity but then showed his appreciation for the gift and gently patted the doll’s head.