The Vatican — During a visit to the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV received a peculiar gift: a plush doll of Dr. Simi, the iconic mascot of Farmacias Similares, a well-known Mexican pharmacy chain. The doll, characterized by papal attire, was presented by Víctor González, the general director of the company.
The moment was captured on video and shared on social media, where it quickly went viral, generating a wave of reactions that ranged from humor to criticism. The X (formerly Twitter) account of "Desde la Fe México" disseminated the images showing the Pontiff holding the plush doll amid smiles and applause from those present.
The gesture has been interpreted as a symbolic show of cultural closeness between Mexico and the Vatican. Although unusual, this type of gift helps to humanize solemn ceremonies and connect religious figures with popular elements of everyday life. On this occasion, Dr. Simi became an unexpected bridge between the spiritual and the popular, reaffirming its place as a cultural icon beyond the commercial sphere.
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