Trading card enthusiasts and history buffs rejoice as Topps NOW ushers in a new era of collectibles by commemorating an unprecedented event in Vatican history. With flair and a certain flair for the dramatic, Topps has released a limited-edition trading card honoring the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff in the storied timeline of the Catholic Church. This seemingly quirky marriage of tradition and modernity represents a first that might just rival any sports card release in recent years—and you thought baseball cards were all the rage!
The process that culminated in this unique fusion of collectibles began, as tradition holds, with the passing of Pope Francis. Following his demise, the age-old rituals of mourning and secretive conclave took the religious stage center, a compelling drama watched by billions. After 16 days of deliberation behind the exquisite, fresco-covered walls of the Sistine Chapel, the world was alerted to the news Pope watchers eagerly awaited—the election of the 267th pope. Stepping into this venerable role was Robert Francis Prevost, who henceforth would be known as Pope Leo XIV. Notably, his elevation to the papacy marks a groundbreaking moment as he becomes the first American to don the papal mantle, a fact not lost on Topps when designing this new collectible.
The Topps NOW card immortalizes the moment when Pope Leo XIV made his inaugural appearance from the grand balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. His visage gazing out over a sea of approximately 150,000 onlookers, is perhaps akin to a rock star moment within ecclesiastical circles. For those unable to attend, this card offers a physical keepsake of a momentous occasion brimming with historic and religious gravitas. But act fast—just as fleeting as these monumental moments themselves, the card will only be available until May 11, 2025, exclusively through Topps’s official website.
In a stroke of creative brilliance appealing to collectors’ keen sensibilities, Topps added an exhilarating twist—the “White Smoke” Short Print. Symbolic of the famous signal announcing a newly elected pope, only 267 of these rare variants have been struck, each one a nod to Leo XIV’s spot in the historical papal lineage. A truly special collector’s piece, these short prints are tucked randomly into the orders placed, thus making each purchase a suspense-laden affair that even the most pious would find hard to resist.
A question lingers: could this culturally significant card transcend the bounds of typical non-sport offerings and gain a coveted place as the biggest non-sport card of the year? There is no denying that with over 1.4 billion Catholics globally, Topps may indeed reach beyond the familiar faces of trading card aficionados. While it’s challenging to forecast whether it will rival releases like the 2024 Olympic Basketball Topps NOW or Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 milestone equivalent, the potential for this card to resonate widely is nonetheless fascinating.
More than just a collectible to be stored and admired, this card bridges a gap between religious history and pop culture, perhaps sparking further dialogue around the intersection of tradition and modern expression. Indeed, it’s not every day that the iconic white smoke that concludes a papal conclave becomes a collectible feature available for purchase. This clever reinterpretation as a trading card boosts the hobby with a splash of drama and history.
For collectors and history enthusiasts alike, Topps decisions to immortalize Pope Leo XIV’s election as a trading card offers an extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of church history. While the debates continue in parishes and card conventions around the world, one thing is clear: for those lucky enough to clutch these cards in their eager hands, the moment will indeed feel a little divine. Perhaps, as traditions evolve and new trends emerge, card collectors and curators of history will look back at this moment as emblematic of how much and yet how little the world truly changes.
