Pope Leo XIV's shoe choice has been going viral since Thursday.
In a newly released screenshot, a photo of the Pope walking around wearing his full papal outfit and a pair of white Nike sneakers in a trailer for the Vatican documentary Leone a Roma has made its rounds on the Internet. The documentary is set to air on Vatican News around the first anniversary of his election, which falls on Friday.
According to Just Fresh Kicks, the shoe that Pope Leo is sporting is the Nike Franchise Low, which debuted in the 1970s and 1980s before returning around 2008 as a tennis lifestyle model. Unfortunately, the actual sneakers the Pontiff was wearing are discontinued, but similar-looking shoes like the Nike AF1s are still on sale.
The new trailer and his unique shoe choice have fans doing double takes. Some believe that his choice was inappropriate because traditionally, the Pope wears red leather shoes (often called papal slippers or mules) outdoors, symbolizing the blood of martyrs and the Passion of Christ. While past popes like Benedict XVI wore vibrant red, Pope Francis opted for simple black shoes to reflect humility, though red remains the official tradition.
"I don't think he's supposed to have those on but okay," someone noticed. "They do look fresh, very nice ?."
"Very American thing," a user commented, referring to the fact that Pope Leo is the first American Pope to lead the Catholic church.
Another wrote, "Using name brands is unholy, it feeds the darkest side of materialism…"
"I’m not the most scrupulous guy, but if you’re THE POPE, you should probably avoid wearing a godless globalist consumerist LGBT promoting, child slave employing brand named after a pagan goddess of victory," an X user expressed, referring to the allegations the sports apparel company received in the 1990s and early 2000s about child labor. Though the Church has been more open about the LGBTQ+ community over the past few years, most are still not open to same-sex marriage. "Not that big of a deal, but kind of depressing that nobody really thinks anymore."
Pope Leo XIV wearing Nikes pic.twitter.com/lZZ3GLWE5J
— non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) May 8, 2026Despite the negative comments, most Internet users loved the shoes, saying it shows a "strong message." Plus, they are making funny jokes and memes along the way.
"Didn't realise the Pope had drip like that," a company wrote.
One commented, "Who says a pope can't have swag?"
"We all know it’s cause the devil wears Prada," a user joked, referring to the sequel to the 2006 film that came out last week.
Another joked, "Unironically the best thing to happen to Nike in years."
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost, arrives on the main central loggia balcony of St. Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025.Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images
Born Robert Francis Prevost before changing his name to Pope Leo XIV last year, he was born and raised in Chicago, where he spent decades working in Peru. He served as the worldwide leader of the Augustinian order for 12 years, speaks fluent Spanish and Italian, and was leading the Vatican office for vetting bishops before his election.
It was confirmed by his brother, John Prevost, that Pope Leo is a diehard White Sox fan, and the Pontiff has been seen wearing a White Sox cap in the Vatican and has engaged in banter about local sports rivalries on many occasions.
Friday marks his first anniversary since the conclave after the previous Pontiff, Pope Francis, passed away. Leone a Roma (which translates to "Leo in Rome") is set to be released on Friday on various Vatican Media channels.
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