Pope Leo's style in spotlight after pontiff makes Vanity Fair's best-dressed list

Pope Leo XIV has made an unexpected appearance on Vanity Fair’s list of the best-dressed people of 2026, putting the head of the Catholic Church in the company of some of the biggest names in fashion and entertainment.

The 70-year-old pontiff was included in Vanity Fair’s “Originals” category, which focuses on people with a distinctive approach to personal style.

And it is not difficult to see why Leo caught the magazine’s attention.

The pope normally appears in the traditional white cassock associated with his position. But away from the most formal Vatican occasions, he has occasionally added some surprisingly casual touches.

He has been photographed wearing Nike sneakers and even a Chicago White Sox baseball cap.

That mix of papal tradition and American sports culture has become part of Leo’s public image since he became pope.

The Chicago-born pontiff's footwear has attracted particular attention. An image of him wearing sneakers went viral in 2025, with some people initially wondering whether it was even real because of how unusual the sight was.

Vanity Fair described his style as having a distinctly American character and highlighted the relaxed attitude he sometimes brings to an otherwise extremely formal role.

Leo is not the only surprising name on Vanity Fair’s list.

The magazine's 2026 selection marks the return of its best-dressed feature after a long absence and includes figures such as Michaela Coel, Harry Styles, Jacob Elordi and Nicole Kidman. The list is divided into several categories rather than producing a simple ranking from first to last.

Pop stars and Hollywood actors regularly appear on fashion lists, but seeing a pope recognized for his wardrobe is something else entirely.

It is also not the first time Leo has attracted attention from the fashion world. Vogue previously included him among its best-dressed figures in 2025.