Sydney pair score trio of Pope Leo hats, celebration ensues
In a unique and memorable moment, newlyweds James Lu and Fiona Choi presented Pope Leo XIV with an Australian Akubra hat during their honeymoon in Italy. The meeting took place on Aug. 14, and the couple felt at ease during their audience with the pope, who had a gentle and kind demeanor.
The Akubra hat, thought to derive from an Aboriginal word for head covering, is a well-known Australian brand. The one given to Pope Leo XIV was made of kangaroo leather and fur felt, with an opal embedded on the side of the hatband, adding a touch of Australia to the Roman setting.
James Lu attempted to guess Pope Leo's hat size by analyzing photos of him, but his guess was a little too small. Despite this, Pope Leo XIV put on the hat with a smile, causing an uproarious applause and cheering from the audience. The pope's effort to greet as many people as possible and spend time with the newlyweds was greatly appreciated by James Lu and Fiona Choi.
The couple, referred to as "sposi novelli" - the newlyweds, during the audience, wore their full wedding outfits, including shoes, for their early morning meeting with Pope Leo XIV. This personal and memorable encounter will undoubtedly be a cherished memory for James Lu, Fiona Choi, and Pope Leo XIV.
