Vanity Fair Includes Pope Leo XIV Among the 70 Most Stylish Figures of 2026

Vanity Fair magazine has revived, after a ten-year hiatus, its ranking of the 70 best-dressed people in the world in 2026, including Pope Leo XIV among the prominent figures, an unusual choice for the list.

The 70-year-old Catholic Church figure was praised for the way he has reshaped the traditional papal image. Particular attention was also drawn to footage from a Vatican-produced documentary, in which the Pope is briefly seen wearing Nike sneakers beneath his white papal robes.

José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair’s fashion correspondent and one of the contributors involved in compiling the list, said the team had been especially impressed by what he described as the Pope’s “innate American style.”

Born in Chicago, Leo XIV has also attracted the fashion industry’s interest through his personal choices, including handmade garments and vintage accessories. Instead of traditional red papal shoes, he is often seen wearing simple, classic black Oxford shoes.

Another distinctive element of his style is a Swiss quartz watch that is no longer produced, while he also continues to use an old bag. In June 2025, the Pope attracted attention during a public audience in St. Peter’s Square, where he wore a Chicago White Sox baseball cap over his papal skullcap.

For ceremonies and official occasions, his clothing has been entrusted to Italian designer Filippo Sorcinelli. He has previously created papal garments for Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.

Vanity Fair placed Leo XIV in the “Originals” category, which includes people known for eccentric, innovative choices and a distinctive approach to fashion. The category also includes director Spike Lee and singers Björk and Rosalía.

This is not the first time the Pope’s style has been recognized. At the end of 2025, Vogue also ranked him among the best-dressed people of the year, alongside A$AP Rocky and Bad Bunny. That same year, The New York Times included him among the 67 most stylish people.