Trading cards just received a divine blessing, as Topps NOW has ventured into new, celestial territory with its latest release: a limited-edition card paying tribute to the election of Pope Leo XIV. This card isn’t just a mere piece of collectible cardboard. It is a snapshot of history, encapsulating the pivotal moment when the newly elected pontiff, the first American-born in the Catholic Church’s illustrious and extensive annals, emerged on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The masses in attendance—a staggering 150,000 people—stood in awe as history and tradition intertwined before their eyes.
Available only until May 11, 2025, on Topps’ official website, this card is indeed a rare gem, just like the event it commemorates. It’s as if tradition has stepped into the modern era of collectibles, bringing with it the grandeur of one of the most significant religious transitions of our time.
The papal tradition itself is steeped in ritual and timeless customs. The recent passing of Pope Francis paved the way for the meticulously structured succession protocol to unfold, which begins with a solemn nine-day mourning period. This period serves as a careful prelude to the secretive conclave, an assembly shrouded with both history and mystery, where the choice of the new pope takes place. At the culmination of this 16-day conclave, all eyes were fixated on the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, and when the white smoke finally billowed into the sky, the world knew a choice had been made. That choice was Robert Francis Prevost, now revered as Pope Leo XIV.
As quickly as the white smoke vanished, Topps seized this historical milestone, immortalizing it with blinding speed and precision into an endearing piece of pop culture memorabilia. Next time someone mentions the “holy see,” perhaps they’ll be referencing the card, as it’s both a piece of history and an artifact accented with divine provenance.
For collectors and enthusiasts, this isn’t just a sentimental piece—it’s a treasure of historic proportions. Topps has added an extra layer of excitement with the inclusion of a “White Smoke” Short Print, limited to only 267 copies. This special edition pays homage to Pope Leo XIV’s place in the papal lineage, his status as the 267th pope. Like finding a golden needle in the haystacks of life, these coveted ultra-rare cards will find their way to fortunate buyers, making them not only keepers of a piece of heaven-sent history but the initiates in a delightful chase within the hobby itself.
The release of the Pope Leo XIV card prompts a question of epic proportions: Could this possibly be the most significant non-sport card of the year? While sports cards often dominate the collector’s landscape—evoking frenzied anticipation with each new debut such as the 2024 Olympic Basketball or Shohei Ohtani’s coveted 50/50 milestone cards—nothing quite compares to the cultural resonance of a papal election. With over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, the reach and appeal of this card could transcend the boundaries of niche segments.
Imagining papal white smoke as a card variant immediately raises eyebrows and rekindles a sense of wonderment. For those who dabble in cards or are keen students of history, this launch resonates with a certain celestial allure. It’s an offering that blurs lines, merging the sanctity of antiquated customs with the vibrant pulse of collectible culture.
This debut from Topps NOW is a testament to how the revered and the contemporary can coalesce into something truly remarkable. It’s a celebration of progress embodied in card form—a recognition of both faith and heritage keeping pace with modernity. And as those lucky enough to secure one of these cards hold them in their hands, they’ll realize that they aren’t merely grasping a collectible; they’re holding onto the weight of history—a memento from the dawn of a new chapter in the papal saga, enshrined succinctly on a slab of meticulously detailed cardstock.