Pope Leo XIV, whose full name is Robert Francis Prevost, is the first pope born in the United States. He was elected as the head of the Roman Catholic Church nearly one and a half years ago, and since then, he has carried forward many of the Augustinian values he held as Cardinal Bob Prevost. During his papacy, he has addressed global issues such as war, migration, and economic equality, while also making historic international visits. Pope Leo, who was recognized last year by American Vogue as one of the best-dressed personalities, has used his style to reflect the Church’s modern vision on the world stage. This summer, the Vatican released a documentary titled Leone a Roma, which explores the early years of the Chicago-born pope in Rome, from the 1980s to the present. In one scene from the documentary, filmed before the two-day conclave that elected him as pope, viewers noticed Nike shoes peeking out from his clerical clothes. The shoes were a pair of Nike Franchise Low Plus, a model originally launched in the 1970s and reissued briefly in 2008. A month after his election, Pope Leo was photographed wearing a black cap with the logo of the Chicago White Sox, showing that his connection to his American roots remains strong. While becoming pope involves many changes, it seems that his attachment to his favorite sports team is one thing he has not given up. Pope Leo’s connection to the United States, along with his interest in contemporary culture, aligns with the Catholic Church’s efforts to appear more modern and relevant. American Vogue recently spoke with Filippo Sorcinelli, a master tailor and artist who has dressed three popes, including Pope Francis. Sorcinelli’s atelier, Atelier Lavs, created the white silk mitre trimmed with gold that Pope Francis wore, which was later displayed in the funeral chapel of St. Peter’s Basilica. When Vogue spoke to him at the time of Pope Leo’s election, Sorcinelli wasn’t sure if he would be asked to dress the new pope again. However, he has since worked on a range of liturgical garments for Pope Leo, combining medieval styles with modern materials and technologies. Filippo Sorcinelli describes the papal wardrobe as a symbol of faith and tradition, emphasizing that the garments serve as a visible expression of the Church’s values. He notes that each pope he has dressed has had a distinct style, with Benedict XVI representing doctrinal splendor, Francis embodying pastoral beauty, and Pope Leo XIV uniting order, contemplation, and the Roman vision of the Church into a figure of austere clarity. The garments for Pope Leo reflect a blend of tradition and modernity, incorporating more colors, luxurious fabrics, and historical details. This approach aligns with the more traditional vision of the papacy that follows the more progressive era of Pope Francis. As Pope Leo continues to shape his papacy, his wardrobe and style remain a key part of his mission to bridge the past and the present.