Pope Leo XIV has gone viral after a Vatican clip revealed him wearing Nike sneakers beneath his traditional white papal robes, sparking widespread social media reactions and a wave of memes.
The images, taken from a Vatican documentary highlighting his life in Rome before becoming pope, quickly spread online as users zoomed in on the unexpected fashion detail.
In the footage, he is seen walking in a white cassock paired with white Nike trainers, a contrast that drew instant attention across platforms such as X and Instagram.
Sneaker enthusiasts identified the shoes as resembling Nike Franchise Low trainers, a classic lifestyle design, though the exact model may no longer be in production.
The unexpected blend of formal papal attire and casual footwear fuelled humorous commentary online, with users coining phrases such as “Holy Drip” and joking that “Nike just got blessed.”
Others highlighted the moment as one of the most unusual fashion appearances associated with a pope.
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV is the first American pope.
He previously served in Peru and later held senior roles within the Vatican, including leadership of the global Augustinian order and oversight of bishop appointments.
Since his election, he has been widely viewed as approachable and modern, an image that the sneaker moment has further amplified among younger audiences.
The footage resurfaced around the anniversary of his election and features in the documentary Leone a Roma, broadcast by Vatican News.