By It’s incredibly effective!
It’s not every day you encounter The Pope, but one Pokémon enthusiast aimed to maximize his recent visit to The Vatican on July 5th.
Reddit user ReptileCake brought two Pokémon cards along when meeting Pope Leo (actual name Robert Francis Prevost): one to receive a blessing, and another to have autographed. But why, you ask? Why specifically Pokémon cards? The featured Pokémon is none other than Popplio!
Get it? Popplio. Pope Leo. Chuckle!
In a conversation with IGN, ReptileCake mentioned that Pope Leo took it all in stride and clearly grasped the joke, joyfully signing the card in question:
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“It was quite laid-back. We were guided through security and then seated, then the pope arrived casually, delivered an inspiring speech about hope, and then welcomed everyone up for a meet and greet [for] individuals to have items blessed or present gifts.
“I approached, handed him a Reverse Holo Popplio, and then requested him to sign a copy for me, which he did with a chuckle. He was really pleasant to be around.”
Despite the card immediately increasing in value, ReptileCake expresses no desire to sell it, stating that Pope Leo’s agreement to autograph the card is “worth more than any financial value can provide,” and that it is now “a cherished memento that I will treasure forever.”
So there you have it! Quite an endearing little event, overall. Although, we suspect this might initiate a somewhat worrisome trend where fans rush to the Vatican to have their own Pokémon cards autographed.
It’s a whole new arena for scalpers, right?
What are your thoughts on this tale? Feel free to leave a comment below and share your views.
[source ign.com]
Nintendo Life’s in-house horror enthusiast, when he’s not immersed in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie enjoys delving into a captivating horror novel while sipping on a delightful cup of tea. He also appreciates long strolls and listens to a variety, from TOOL to Chuck Berry.