POPE LEO XIV

This weekend, as we celebrate the Inauguration of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV as the Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, let us take a moment to familiarize ourselves with his official portrait, papal signature, and his coat of arms.

 

The Vatican unveiled Pope Leo XIV’s official portrait and signature Saturday last Saturday.  That is the portrait that continues to grace our Sanctuary through the Masses this weekend and is on the cover of the bulletin today.  The formal portrait shows the 69-year-old pope wearing the red mozzetta (short cape), embroidered papal stole (with embroidery of the papal insignia of keys and tiara, along with symbols of the four evangelists), and golden pectoral cross.

 

The Vatican published the portrait alongside the pope’s personal signature, which includes the notation “P.P.” — an abbreviation traditionally used in papal signatures that stands for “Pastor Pastorum” (“Shepherd of Shepherds”).

 

Pope Leo’s Coat of Arms

             

The heraldic design features a fleur-de-lis on a blue background, symbolizing the Virgin Mary, while the right side displays a heart pieced by an arrow, resting on a book against a cream background. This is based on the traditional symbol of the Augustinian order.  The fleur-de-lis has particular significance in Catholic iconography as a symbol of purity and the Virgin Mary. The three-petaled lily design has also been connected to the Holy Trinity. It is prominently featured in French heraldry, which may hold personal meaning for the pope, who has French ancestry through his father’s lineage. Beneath the shield runs a scroll displaying the pope’s episcopal motto: “In illo uno unum” (“In the one Christ we are one”), a phrase taken from St. Augustine’s commentary on Psalm 127. The motto reflects Leo’s roots in the Augustinian order and his commitment to unity in the Church.

 

These profound presentations of papal symbols — the portrait, signature, and coat of arms — traditionally occur in the early days of a new pontificate and provide insights into the theological priorities and pastoral style the new pope intends to emphasize.