Luce was created by Simone Legno, the co-founder of the Italian pop culture brand Tokidoki. The character was unveiled in October 2024 as the official mascot for the Vatican's 2025 Jubilee Year celebration.

Luce, meaning "light" in Italian, symbolizes hope and renewal. Her yellow raincoat represents the light of faith, while her muddy boots and pilgrim's cross symbolize the journey of faith and traditional pilgrimage.

The Vatican chose an anime-style mascot to connect with younger generations and modernize its approach to communication. This decision reflects Pope Francis's emphasis on making the Church more accessible to youth through contemporary forms of expression.

Luce will be featured at various events throughout 2025, including the Lucca Comics and Games convention in Italy, the Vatican's pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, and numerous cultural events and exhibitions during the Jubilee Year celebrations in Rome.

Luce has received largely positive reception, particularly among younger Catholics. Church leaders, including Archbishop Rino Fisichella, have praised the initiative as an innovative way to engage with contemporary culture while maintaining core spiritual messages.