You’ve probably seen it. Maybe it was a grainy thumbnail on YouTube or a glossy, high-contrast shot on your Facebook feed. A man in white, looking intensely at the camera, or perhaps holding a bizarrely ornate staff. The caption says it’s the picture of new pope, and suddenly the comments are a war zone of "Amen" and "This is fake!"
Honestly, it's getting hard to tell.
We are living through a wild moment in Vatican history. As of early 2026, the Catholic Church is still finding its feet under Pope Leo XIV. He was elected back in May 2025 after the passing of Pope Francis. But if you search for his image today, you’re just as likely to find a computer-generated hallucination as you are a real photo from the Vatican Press Office.
The Official Portrait vs. The AI "Puffer Jacket" Era
Let’s get the facts straight first. The actual, verified picture of new pope—the official one—was released shortly after the conclave last year. It’s different. It’s not the stiff, distant portraits we got with Benedict XVI or the "smiling grandpa" shots of early Francis.
Leo XIV (formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost) opted for something that looks... well, human. In the official portrait, he’s looking slightly off-camera with an expression that many Vatican observers, like those at the National Catholic Reporter, described as "vulnerable." He isn't wearing the fancy lace (rochet) or the red mozzetta. He’s in a simple white cassock. His eyes look almost watery, like he’s just realized the weight of 1.4 billion people is now on his shoulders.
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But that's not what's going viral.
What’s actually clogging up Google Discover are the "deepfakes." We all remember the Pope Francis puffer jacket from a few years ago. That was a toy compared to what’s happening now. Since Leo XIV took office, we’ve seen AI images of him:
- Falling down the stairs of St. Peter’s (which actually prompted a "Are you okay?" call from his friends).
- Wearing futuristic neon robes.
- Meeting with political leaders who have been dead for decades.
The Vatican's Dicastery for Communication is basically playing whack-a-mole at this point. They’ve had to report hundreds of YouTube channels for using the picture of new pope to create fake sermons. It’s a mess.
Why the New Mosaic in St. Paul’s Matters
If you want to see the "real" new pope in a way that’s literally set in stone, you have to look at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. In January 2026, the Vatican finally completed the official mosaic portrait of Leo XIV.
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There's a long tradition here. There are circular portraits of every pope in history lining the walls of that basilica. Legend says that when there’s no more room for a new portrait, the world ends. Don't worry—they found a spot next to Pope Francis.
The mosaic is based on a photo taken during his first few months. It captures his "American-Peruvian" heritage—he was born in Chicago but spent decades in the trenches of missionary work in Peru. You can see it in the weathered lines around his eyes. He’s the first American pope, and the image reflects a guy who has spent more time in dusty parishes than in Roman palaces.
Spotting the Fake: How to Verify a Picture of New Pope
Kinda crazy that we need a guide for this, right? But since 2025, the quality of "synthetic media" has jumped. If you’re looking at an image and wondering if it’s the real Leo XIV, check these three things:
- The Ferula (The Staff): On January 6, 2026, Leo XIV debuted a brand-new papal staff. It’s sleek and modern, featuring his motto In illo uno unum. If the "pope" in the photo is holding the old silver cross staff used by Paul VI, it’s likely an old photo of a previous pope or a poorly researched AI job.
- The Hands: AI still struggles with fingers. In one viral fake of Leo XIV blessing a crowd, he appeared to have six fingers on his left hand. Look at the extremities.
- The "P.P." Signature: The Vatican recently pointed out that Leo XIV has brought back the traditional "P.P." (Pastor Pastorum) in his official documents and signed photos. Francis didn't use it. If the signature looks off, the photo is bunk.
What Most People Get Wrong About Leo XIV's Look
People keep trying to fit him into a box. The "conservative" blogs post pictures of him looking stern to suggest he’s rolling back reforms. The "progressive" outlets post photos of him laughing to show he’s a "people’s pope."
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The truth? The most authentic picture of new pope moments are the ones from his weekly Wednesday audiences. In early January 2026, he started a series of talks on Vatican II. If you see a photo of him in the Paul VI Audience Hall, leaning forward, gesturing with both hands like a Chicago lawyer (which he basically is, as a canon lawyer), that’s the real guy.
He’s not a symbol; he’s a 70-year-old man trying to steer a very old ship through a very digital storm.
Actionable Tips for the Digital Faithful
If you’re trying to stay informed without getting duped by the latest "miracle" photo or AI hoax, here’s how to handle it:
- Bookmark the source. Only trust images from Vatican Media, L'Osservatore Romano, or established agencies like AP and Reuters. If it's on a site called "EndTimesProphecy.biz," it's probably not a real photo.
- Check the background. The Vatican is a specific place. AI often gets the architecture of St. Peter’s Square slightly wrong—the columns might look like they're melting or the statues on top of the colonnade will look like blobs.
- Search the "Visual Motto." Leo XIV’s official imagery always includes his coat of arms, which features an Augustinian heart and a star. If the heraldry in the background looks different, skip it.
Stop sharing the "pope in a golden throne" photos. He doesn't even use one. He usually sits in a simple upholstered chair. Stick to the official channels, and you'll see the man as he actually is: a missionary from the Midwest who ended up in the world's most photographed job.
To stay updated on the most recent official releases, you can check the photo gallery on the Vatican’s official website or follow the verified "Pontifex" accounts, which now regularly post high-resolution behind-the-scenes shots of his daily ministry.