Pope Leo XIV's official portrait has been released and people noticed major detail in his outfit

The Vatican has released the official portrait of Pope Leo XIV and people are all saying the same thing about one major detail of his outfit.

On 9 May, Pope Leo XIV was announced as the new leader of the Catholic church.

It took the College of Cardinals just over one day to agree and announce that the 69-year-old, who hails from Chicago, would take over from Pope Francis after his death last month.

Now, the new pope and 267th pontiff's official portrait has been released and people can't stop staring at one detail in the image.

People have been quick to notice the large gold cross worn by Pope Leo in his official portrait (Vatican Media)

The portrait sees Pope Leo softly smiling on as he dons his white dress robes, but it's the large gold cross around his neck that's caught people's attention.

Taking to Reddit, one person commented: "Our new Holy Father brought back the tradition of wearing a gold cross!"

And another echoed the sentiment, writing: "A fresh change back to tradition."

This return to tradition followed Pope Francis' unconventional breaks from formality.

Following his election in 2013, he appeared for the first time on the balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica in a simple white cassock without the red ermine-trimmed cape, known as a mozzetta, traditionally worn on such occasions.

And, he wore a silver pectoral cross - jewellery he'd worn as an archbishop in Argentine - rather than the gold cross worn by his predecessors.

Yet, while they have made different choices when it comes to what they wear, Leo and Francis are said to share many of the same sentiments in that they're both passionate about helping migrants and the poor.

Jesus Leon Angeles, who has known Pope Leo - born Robert Francis Prevost - for eight years, described him as a 'very simple' person who is always keen to help others.

Viewers of Pope Leo's portrait were also quick to notice another detail.

It makes a return to tradition from his predecessor's unconventional choices (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/Contributor/Getty Images)

In the bottom right-hand corner of the portrait is Pope Leo's Coat of Arms along with some Latin writing which reads: "In illo uno unum," which translates to 'In the One, we are one'.

Next to it is a handwritten sign-off, presumably written by Pope Leo, which reads: "Leo P.P.XIV."

One Reddit user wondered what the acronym stood for, writing: "What does the 'P.P.' in the middle mean?"

A second penned: "I've been wanting to know that for years. I think 'P.M.' used to be used, which I think would be 'Pontifex Maximus'.

"But more recent popes have used 'P.P.'. When I looked it up recently, one answer I found was that it means 'Pastor Pastorum' - 'Pastor of Pastors'/'Shepherd of Shepherds'.