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Trading cards just entered the Vatican.
In a surprising and historic move, Topps NOW has released a limited-edition trading card honoring the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff in the Catholic Church’s centuries-long history. The card captures the moment Pope Leo XIV made his first public appearance from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where an estimated 150,000 people gathered to witness history unfold.
The card is available for a limited time—until May 11, 2025—exclusively through Topps’ official website.
The death of Pope Francis set in motion the Vatican’s age-old succession process, including a nine-day mourning period followed by the secretive papal conclave. After 16 days, the world saw the familiar white smoke rise from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the election of the 267th pope: Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV.
Topps wasted no time capturing this monumental moment in cardboard form, blending modern collectibles with one of the most significant religious events in recent memory.
For collectors, there’s more than just symbolism here. Topps has also created a “White Smoke” Short Print, limited to 267 copies—a direct nod to Leo XIV’s position in the papal line. These ultra-rare cards will be randomly distributed to lucky buyers, adding a hobby-style chase element to a piece of religious history.
With more than 1.4 billion Catholics around the world, this card has the potential to reach beyond the typical trading card audience. Whether it rivals major non-sports releases like the 2024 Olympic Basketball Topps NOW cards or Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 milestone remains to be seen—but the cultural and historical weight of this release is undeniable.
It’s not every day you see papal white smoke become a collectible variation. But for card collectors and history buffs alike, this drop might just be divine.
