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A single detail was enough to set social media ablaze. In the trailer for “Leone a Roma,” a documentary about Pope Leo XIV’s first year at the Vatican, the most observant viewers spotted an unexpected yet delightful detail peeking out from under his white cassock: a pair of white Nike sneakers. This surprising and fascinating image confirms one thing: the new pontiff is definitely not like other popes.
The first American pope in history, Leo XIV (born Robert Francis Prevost), already cultivated a much more relaxed image than his predecessors. A Chicago native, passionate about sports and a fervent supporter of his hometown teams, he made no secret of his attachment to American culture. Therefore, when the Vatican released the first images of the documentary, many were not surprised to see a black Swoosh at the pontiff’s feet.
The Pope’s sneakers identified by internet users
In this archival footage filmed during his early years in Rome, the Pope appears dressed in immaculate white, walking across a verdant lawn. Beneath the hem of his cassock, white Nike sneakers stand out. Immediately, fashion enthusiasts and sneaker aficionados launched a veritable investigation to identify the exact model. The experts’ verdict: they are the Nike Franchise Low Plus, a relatively obscure pair, inspired by tennis shoes from the 1970s and 80s and reissued in the 2000s. This minimalist model with its retro aesthetic perfectly matches the understated style of the pontiff, a simple silhouette, far removed from the ultra-spectacular sneakers that dominate fashion today.
This appearance also marks a new stage in the evolution of papal attire. Traditionally, popes wear red leather shoes, a powerful symbol of the papacy. Pope Francis had already broken with this custom by opting for simpler black shoes. Leo XIV seems to be continuing this same desire for sobriety, but with a decidedly more contemporary touch.
On social media, the photo immediately triggered an avalanche of comments. “The devil may wear Prada, but the Pope wears Nikes,” joked one user, a mischievous nod to Lauren Weisberger’s famous novel.
Pope Leo XIV wearing Nikes pic.twitter.com/lZZ3GLWE5J
— non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) May 8, 2026