Newly appointed Pope Leo XIV, formerly Chicago-born Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, made waves on May 28 with a surprising moment: while riding the popemobile, he caught a cloth doll thrown by a White Sox fan—dressed like the pope himself during his debut at St. Peter’s Basilica.

The one-handed catch impressed many and showcased his American flair, but social media quickly raised alarms about security. “Adorable but his security is definitely slipping,” one user tweeted, reflecting widespread concerns over the risks of such close contact.

Since his May 8 installation, Pope Leo XIV has called for peace in Ukraine, urged a ceasefire in Gaza, and praised a peace deal between India and Pakistan. He also addressed the challenges of artificial intelligence, comparing it to the Industrial Revolution, citing Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 letter.

Pope Leo emphasized the Church’s commitment to human dignity and justice amid AI advancements and lauded Pope Francis for his humility and inspiring leadership.

Despite the playful popemobile moment, the pope’s focus remains on global peace and navigating modern challenges with wisdom.