Pope Leo XIV has been included on Vogue magazine’s list of the Best Dressed People of 2025, placing the Pontiff alongside leading figures from film, music, and public life.
The American edition of Vogue published the list online in early December. The magazine cited what it described as a revival of papal elegance, noting that Pope Leo has “broken with the humble tastes of his predecessor, Pope Francis,” while preserving the tradition of impeccably crafted liturgical vestments.
Whereas Pope Francis became closely associated with simplicity and austerity, Vogue observed that Pope Leo has embraced more traditional, finely tailored papal attire, maintaining continuity with the Vatican’s historic tailoring practices.
For his “Best Outfit of 2025,” Vogue singled out the Pope’s first public appearance following his election to the pontificate May 8. Stepping onto the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, he wore a red satin mozzetta, a wine-colored stole embroidered with gold thread, and a cross pendant suspended from a gold silk cord — an ensemble the magazine described as emblematic of continuity.
Vogue emphasized that Pope Leo’s style reflects more than clothing alone. Editors framed his inclusion as part of a broader understanding of style as a form of meaning and cultural dialogue. They pointed to the Pope’s engagement with contemporary culture, including his invitations to acclaimed actresses Monica Bellucci and Cate Blanchett to visit the Vatican, gestures the magazine interpreted as signaling both a personal interest in cinema and a desire to present the Church as intellectually and culturally engaged.
Vogue editors explained that their annual list highlights individuals whose dress “made us take notice” across politics, religion, and the arts.
Comparisons have also been drawn to Pope Francis’ appearance on Esquire’s best-dressed list in 2013, suggesting the ways papal style continues to attract attention beyond ecclesiastical settings.
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