Trading cards, those beloved collectibles often associated with sports legends and fictional heroes, have reached a new pinnacle of cultural relevance, extending their domain from the ballfields and comic conventions to the heart of the Vatican. In a move that’s as surprising as it is historic, Topps NOW, the company synonymous with collectible cards, has released a special-edition trading card to commemorate the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff in the Catholic Church’s two-thousand-year history. The card immortalizes the very moment Pope Leo XIV made his grand debut from the iconic balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where an awe-inspired crowd of about 150,000 faithful congregants and curious onlookers gathered, necks craned, squinting at the new face of the papacy.
This divine cardboard artifact, which is available for a limited window until May 11, 2025, exclusively through Topps’ official online platform, marks a graceful intersection between the sacred and the contemporary, bridging centuries-old tradition with the vibrant world of collectibles.
The transition from the grandeur of Vatican tradition to a glossy, palm-sized collectible is a journey worthy of contemplation. Following the passing of Pope Francis, the Catholic Church entered a period of deep mourning, steeped in solemnity and ritual. This was soon followed by the equally mysterious and secretive papal conclave—a ritual gathering where cardinals, cloaked in secrecy and seclusion, choose the next leader of the world’s Catholics. It was after 16 intense days of deliberation that the iconic white smoke—a symbol of a successful papal election—puffed its way into the sky above the Sistine Chapel, announcing to the world the ascendancy of Robert Francis Prevost. He would be known henceforth as Pope Leo XIV, marking his place as the 267th occupant of the papal seat.
Seizing the historical moment with promptness akin to a papal conclave, Topps NOW swiftly captured this momentous event on a trading card, weaving together modern-day collectibles with one of the most significant religious milestones in recent memory. For the soccer star or comic book hero who shares shelf space with this card, it’s certainly an elevation of company to an ethereal level.
Yet for collectors, it’s not just about symbolism and capturing a slice of history for their personal archives. Topps, ever the master of adding a whiff of the chase to their offerings, has also introduced a “White Smoke” Short Print, a nod to the election ritual itself. Limited to only 267 copies—a sly wink to the new pope’s numerical place in the seat of St. Peter—these ultra-rare cards offer a unique twist for collectors and stoke the fires of competitive collecting. As with any limited-edition collectible, these “White Smoke” prints are randomly seeded, creating a treasure hunt for the devout collectors who vie to hold a piece of this sacred lottery.
As the card-buying public ponders its significance, a tantalizing question arises: Could this trading card ascend to the pinnacle of 2025’s non-sporting sector? With a vast audience of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, the card certainly has the potential to transcend the typical boundaries of trading card demographics. Could it stand shoulder to shoulder with celebrated non-sports releases such as the Olympic Basketball cards or even rival the unifying splash that Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 milestone card made? While its commercial triumph may be uncertain, the cultural and historical significance of this release renders it a heavy hitter in its own right.
A humble collector’s binder now holds a piece of history, a tangible reminder of a moment when religious tradition made its way into modern people’s lives and, indeed, into their hearts. It’s not every day that you watch the symbol of papal white smoke transform into a collectible rarity. But, for card collectors and history aficionados, this holy drop might indeed be seen as divine providence enfleshed into collectible form. As limited-edition as it is inspired, the Pope Leo XIV trading card doesn’t just capture a historic moment—it becomes one.
