Popplio Card Signed by Pope Leo Graded 6.66 by Beckett
VATICAN CITY – A Pokemon TCG card signed by the pope has come back from grading, with the rare and unusual grade of 6.66 by the Beckett’s grading service.
The card, a common Popplio signed by Pope Leo XIV, made the rounds as an internet meme due to the similarity in the name of the new pope and the clown seal-like pocket monster. After being returned to its original owner after grading, church leaders immediately took possession of it.
“The Pokemon card is now rightfully back in the hands of the church,” explained Cardinal DeMarco Klefki from within the tomb where the card is currently sequestered. “Due to the nature of His Holiness interacting with and blessing the card, it is now considered a second-class holy relic and must be kept in the halls of the Vatican. There is also an issue with the grade itself; we will have personal Vatican graders go over the card’s condition soon. That grade, with a number commonly associated with Satan, now being associated with such a holy item is of course improper and must be rectified immediately.
“We understand there’s a signature defacing the card but the centering isn’t that bad, so we must change that grade as soon as possible using a Vatican-approved grading system that doesn’t dole out such evil numbers for a religious organization attempting to create an icon from a children’s gambling game.
“It was fundamentally necessary that we get a hold of the card from the fan who had it originally signed. Pokemon isn’t normally associated with the Catholic church, but such a modern item is a reminder that the church can still be relevant in current society. Also, it is by divine will that that Popplio made it into the hands of His Eminance Pope Leo XIV, and by that same divine right we must hold onto it in case its value goes up on the secondary market.”
At press time, a Magic: The Gathering card signed by Donald Trump sold for $88 on eBay in what the President called “one of the greatest deals of all time”.
