Pope Francis, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

New Pope's Opulent Attire Sparks Reactions Online

May 09, 2025

07:42 A.M.

After being elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV greeted crowds in luxurious clothing adorned with gold. Some netizens disapproved of his appearance, especially compared to the attire the late Pope Francis wore at the start of his papacy.

Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, wore distinct attire when introduced as the new pope. After the conclave concluded on May 8, 2025, the newly elected pontiff stepped onto the main central loggia balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to greet the world for the first time.

That same day, other cardinals in the Vatican elected him as the new pope. He is the first pope from the United States and shared a close bond with his predecessor, the late Pope Francis. He is also the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church and once spent years as a missionary in Peru.

Choosing the papal name Leo XIV, the new pope appeared before the public flanked by two colleagues. He smiled and waved while dressed in pink, white, maroon, and gold garments and jewelry as he stood on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica.

His vibrant attire contrasted sharply with the plain white robes worn by Pope Francis during his first appearance on the same balcony on March 13, 2013, in Vatican City. At that time, Francis, formerly known as the Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, had just been elected as the 266th pontiff.

When a video surfaced of Leo XIV delivering his first prayer as pope, many netizens reacted strongly. One user remarked, "Gold jewellery. Gold robes. Magnificent chapels. Idolatry. Pretty much everything Jesus was against. The irony."

In comparison of Francis' 2013 papal attire and Leo XIV's 2025 look, an observer commented, "It will be hard to be better than Pope Francis. I pray the gold is not a sign of retrograde. The simplicity of Pope Francis was contagious and inspiring."

Another critic wrote, "From simplicity and modesty to gold embroidered frock," while one user questioned, "What is up with all that gold. [sic]" In contrast, a different netizen offered a positive perspective: "Traditional vestments are an improvement," while another posed the rhetorical question, "Can we all be Gods [sic] children. Love & RESPECT."

As many continued to mourn the passing of Francis, one netizen shared, "Ooh RIP pope Francis he was a humble pope from the onset. [sic]" Despite this, some praised the new pope, with one writing, "Pope Leo XIV looks like a wonderful man!!"

Another person observed, "He's got some big shoes to fill, hopefully [sic] he'll be just as good as Pope Francis was."

Public reactions to Pope Leo XIV's introduction highlight how symbolism and presentation remain powerful in shaping perceptions of leadership. As the Church enters a new chapter, the contrast in papal styles offers an opportunity to reflect on tradition, change, and the values that resonate with modern believers.

Pope Leo XIV raises both hands in greeting, wearing a richly embroidered stole over cream robes as he steps onto the balcony framed by deep red velvet drapes

Pope Francis greets the crowd with a gentle wave, dressed in simple white robes and a silver cross, his calm smile framed by soft golden light

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost (C) gestures as he addresses the crowd from the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025

Newly elected Pope Francis I waves to the waiting crowd from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost addresses the crowd on the main central loggia balcony overlooking St Peter's Square on May 08, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican

Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontif

Pope Leo XIV smiles warmly as he raises both hands in greeting, his ornate crimson stole detailed with golden saints catching the light

Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13,2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics

he newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican

Newly elected Pope Francis I leaves the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff and will lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics

Cardinal Robert Prevost, newly elected as Pope Leo XIV is seen on the Saint Peter's Basilica balcony, at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican on May 8, 2025

Newly named Pope Jose Mario Bergoglio appears, on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, as Pope Francesco, elected in the second ballot of their secret conclave on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost addresses the crowd from the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025

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Argentina's cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, elected Pope Francis (C) addresses the crowd on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica's after being elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013 at the Vatican

American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost presides over his first Holy Mass as Pope Leo XIV with cardinals in the Sistine Chapel at the conclusion of the Conclave on May 09, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican.

Pope Francis stands in the popemobile surrounded by a sea of dignitaries and waving hands, dressed in full white with a silver cross draped over his chest

Pope Leo XIV stands solemnly between rich velvet drapes, hands clasped over ornate crimson vestments embroidered with golden saints

Pope Francis delivers a sermon from a carved wooden lectern, draped in cream vestments with red crosses, standing beside a throne-like chair trimmed in gold