News of Pope Francis’ reported death has triggered a sharp rally in a Solana-based meme coin named LUCE, with prices soaring 134% within hours, according to data from GMGN.Ai. The token, loosely inspired by the Vatican’s official mascot for the Holy Year of 2025, reached a daily high of $0.02517 before retreating to $0.015 at the time of this press release.
The token’s price action follows breaking reports from Reuters, which claimed Pope Francis passed away from double pneumonia at approximately 7:35 AM local time on April 21. Just days earlier, the Pope had made a rare public appearance after spending 38 days in the hospital battling illness.
LUCE Sees Unofficial Hype Despite No Vatican Affiliation
Although LUCE has no official ties to the Vatican or the Pope, it launched shortly after the mascot’s unveiling in October 2024. The coin initially gained attention through pump.fun, a Solana-based meme coin generator.
- Market Cap at Peak: $80 million
- Current Market Cap: ~$15 million
- Liquidity: $1.8 million
- Active Holders: 44,750+
- 24-Hour Trading Volume: Over $40.7 million
Despite its speculative rise, GMGN.Ai has issued a 100% rug pull probability warning, advising traders to proceed with caution.
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Pope-Inspired Meme Coins Flood Solana Market
Following LUCE’s momentum, several other Pope-inspired meme coins launched in rapid succession on the Solana blockchain. These tokens include:
- Francis – up over 115% just one hour after launch
- POPE
- RIP POPE
- RIP (featuring the image of Pope Francis)
The trend reflects how crypto markets respond to real-world events, particularly when meme coin culture intersects with sensitive topics.
LUCE Pulls Back After Massive Spike
Although LUCE surged 134% at its peak, it has since dropped nearly 40% over the past week. Traders and analysts speculate that the rally was driven primarily by news-based sentiment and momentum from meme coins, rather than long-term fundamentals.
Platforms like GMGN.Ai continue to monitor the token for signs of volatility, highlighting the risk associated with investing in unaudited, unofficial tokens, particularly those linked to emotionally charged news cycles.
Final Thoughts: The Ethical Dilemma of Meme Coin Mania
The surge in LUCE and other Pope-inspired coins raises new questions about the intersection of cryptocurrency speculation and sensitive global events. While meme coins often thrive on hype, sudden price movements tied to significant developments, such as the death of a public figure, may prompt deeper industry reflection.
As of now, LUCE’s future remains uncertain, especially given its lack of formal utility, governance, or regulatory oversight. Traders are urged to approach with caution and verify sources before participating in tokens that emerge from high-profile news.
