Popplio and the Pope? The most unexpected encounter between Pokémon and the Catholic Church
The Popplio closest to Arceus.
When we hear something that links Pokémon with the Vatican, the first thing that comes to mind is usually some controversy. But this time, the opposite is true: an unusual and endearing moment that brought Pokémon together with none other than Pope Leo XV.
Popplio, to the Holy Seal (pun intended)
Last Saturday, July 5, an encounter occurred that will go down in the history of both Pokémon and the Holy See. A Pokémon fan originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, known as ReptileCake, attended an audience with His Holiness as part of a student trip to Italy, accompanied by other young people and teachers. While most of the attendees carried traditional souvenirs or gifts, ReptileCake opted for something much more original: two cards of Popplio, the initial Water-type Pokémon from the seventh generation Pokémon Sun & Moon.
"We were herded through security and then seated, then the pope arrived nonchalantly, gave a great speech about hope, and then invited everyone up for a meet and greet [for] people to get some items blessed or give gifts," ReptileCake wrote on reddit earlier this week. “I went up, gave him a Reverse Holo Popplio and then asked him to sign a copy for me, in which he complied with a laugh. He felt really nice to be around.“I introduced it as Popplio because it sounds like Pope Leo. He laughed, probably as a courtesy, but he did know about Pokémon cards, he even showed it around to the guards around him. Then I asked him to sign a copy for me and he was happy to oblige.”
“It’s just a funny joke that his Holiness indulged in with me,” ReptileCake concluded, “that’s worth more than any monetary value can satisfy. “[I’m] never intending to get rid of the card in any way. It’s a personal artefact that I will cherish for eternity.”
The relationship between Popplio and Pope Leo is certainly a pun that could not be missed. And thanks to it, ReptileCake takes with him two Pokémon cards that, at least for him, are absolutely priceless.
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