Powerful symbols: Vatican releases Pope Leo XIV’s official portrait and signature
Saturday, 10 May 2025 ()
A cropped version of the official portrait of Pope Leo XIV, published by the Vatican on May 10, 2025. / Vatican Media
Rome Newsroom, May 10, 2025 / 10:30 am (CNA).
The Vatican unveiled Pope Leo XIV’s official portrait and signature Saturday, revealing the American pontiff’s embrace of traditional papal elements just two days after his historic election.
The formal portrait shows the 69-year-old pope wearing the red mozzetta (short cape), embroidered stole, white rochet, and golden pectoral cross — traditional papal vesture that present a visual contrast to the simpler style preferred by his predecessor.
pic.twitter.com/ItCsFG6x7V
— Celebrazioni Papali (@UCEPO) May 10, 2025
Vatican Media 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 Francis had departed from this convention, signing simply as “Franciscus.”
The signature of Pope Leo XIV, released May 10, 2025. Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff (UCEPO) / X
This return to traditional elements accompanies Leo’s papal coat of arms. The heraldic design features a fleur-de-lis on a blue background, symbolizing the Virgin Mary, while the right side displays the Sacred Heart of Jesus 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.
The official coat of arms of Pope Leo XIV. Vatican Media
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.
Lo stemma ufficiale del Santo Padre Leone XIV pic.twitter.com/gmHOSEoj96
— Segreteria di Stato della Santa Sede (@TerzaLoggia) May 10, 2025
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.
Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, made history on May 8, becoming the first U.S.-born pope.
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