Pope Leo XIV’s coat of arms

THE PAPAL COAT OF ARMS

Pope Leo XIV’s coat of arms consists of a shield divided into two sectors, each carrying a profound message.

- On the left side, against a blue background, a white stylised lily, a traditional symbol of purity and innocence, stands out. This flower, frequently associated with the Virgin Mary, immediately recalls the Marian dimension of the Pope’s spirituality. This is not a purely devotional reminder but a precise indication of Mary's centrality in the path of the Church: a model of listening, humility, and total gifting to God.

- On the right side of the shield, on a white field, is depicted the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by an arrow and adapted to a closed book. This intense picture, loaded with meaning, reminds us of the mystery of Christ's redemptive sacrifice, a heart pierced for the love of humanity, and the Word of God, represented by the closed book. That unopened book suggests that divine truth is sometimes veiled and should be welcomed with faith even when it is not fully revealed. It’s an invitation to trust and abandonment, to perseverance in finding the deeper meaning of Scripture, even in moments of darkness.

- The motto chosen by Pope Leo XIV, “In Illo uno unum,” taken from a commentary of Saint Augustine on Psalm 127, summarises the heart of his message: "In Him who is One, we are One." In these words, the ideal of a united Church is reflected despite the differences and tensions that inevitably accompany it. It is an expression of communion founded not on uniformity, but on encountering Christ’s love, which makes brotherhood and reconciliation possible even in the most complex contexts. Not by chance, in his greeting to the Church and the world, Pope Leo XIV spoke of this: of a bridge Church called to overcome divisions and make room for meeting, listening, and mercy.

Ultimately, through his coat of arms and motto, the new Pontiff proposes a vision of a missionary, Marian Church deeply rooted in the love of Christ. A Church ready to suffer and commit itself entirely to serving God’s people, with the awareness that all diversity can find harmony only in unity with the Lord.