Exclusive Pope Leo XIV Painting: Q&A With Artist Julia Hetzel

Last week, the Universal Church gathered as white smoke rose from the Vatican.

It’s hard to put into words the joy and unity of that moment—especially for us as Americans. For the first time in history, the Holy Father is one of our own: Pope Leo XIV.

Moments like these are sacred reminders of who we are, what we believe, and the beauty of being part of the Catholic Church. At The Catholic Company, we understand that these special moments are meant to be remembered, brought into our homes, and shared with our families. 

In order to do just that, we’ve created a new line of products featuring a hand-painted portrait of Pope Leo—captured in oil by Christian artist Julia Hetzel, a wife and mother of two boys (with another beautiful boy on the way!). 

This is real art, created with prayer by someone who sees painting as an act of worship. Julia’s creative process is deeply rooted in her faith—“Painting is a time of quiet reflection,” she says. “It’s how I worship the Lord with my gift.”

We spoke to Julia about her work:

How did you get your start as an artist and how has your art and career evolved over time? 

I come from a family of artists. My great grandfather was a Ukrainian artist and my grandmother on my dad's side was a successful floral painter. My grandmother on my mom's side, also an artist, had the biggest impact on me. For hours she would draw with me, give me fun exercises like drawing something without looking at it, or drawing something upside down. All little ways to challenge my way of thinking about how to create.

When I was in middle school, I spent a week at her house doing a "painting workshop" and she delicately taught me how to work in oils and I painted my first self portrait. This sparked my deep love for painting and it was the beginning of my dream to someday become a full-time artist. This passion for painting continued to grow, and I studied art in college. After graduating, I worked at an interior design firm and eventually launched a successful career in interior design. However, when I had my second child in 2023, I rediscovered my love for painting, and it has become a true source of joy in my life.

As a mom of two (soon to be three!), how does your daily life as a mother influence your creative process? 

Becoming a mom changed how I see myself, my time, and what matters most. It softened me, sparked my creativity, and helped me become more present. Motherhood, along with my faith in the Lord, guided me back to painting and gave me the courage to build a life around it. While it's not always easy, this journey is deeply mine, and I am incredibly grateful for how it continues to shape and inspire me.

How do you incorporate faith into your work and process as an artist? 

My faith is the common thread that runs through all of my artwork and my creative process. For me, painting is a time of quiet reflection and a quiet mind (which doesn’t happen often with my two little boys!) and, most importantly, it’s an act of worshipping the Lord with my gift. Worship music is playing and my mind wanders into a beautiful state of prayer and reflection. That’s why each of my paintings naturally evolved into being titled from Bible verses, worship songs, and promises of joy and hope.

What was your favorite part about painting this piece of Pope Leo in particular? The most challenging? 

My first oil painting was a portrait, so there was an element of nostalgia for me picking up a brush to paint a portrait of Pope Leo in this historical moment. I love painting because it challenges you to take a close look at your subject. In this case, my goal was to capture the subtlety in Pope Leo's expression, the clasping of his hands, and the intricate detail of his stole. All of these aspects made the portrait compelling and also beautifully challenging.

Was there anything that stood out to you while you were painting this? 

The more time I spent with the image, the more I was struck by the juxtaposition between the formality and tradition of the vestments, and Pope Leo's calm smile and humble pose. Despite being elevated to a position of such significance, his demeanor and expression evoke peace and humility. There was even something about his glasses that were a reminder of the human element of Pope Leo and the monumental responsibility he's been charged with.

You often speak about beauty as a path to God. How do you hope your art invites people into prayer or reflection? 

The paintings I am best known for are florals and landscapes -- God is the ultimate creator, and as an artist I feel blessed to be able to reflect the beauty of His creation in my work. As I paint, my prayer is that each painting evokes in others the same sense of peace and appreciation for God's work.

In your own home, what would you hope this painting reminds your family of when they see it? 

Art is designed to inspire conversation, and every piece in your home is a reflection of your taste and also your belief system. It is my prayer that this piece, and any other art that I have in my home, creates an opportunity for connection to faith-- inspiring conversations with my children, family, and friends, and inviting the Lord to be in the center of our daily life.