Pope Leo’s coat-of-arms

Pope Leo XIV’s coat of arms offers a clear reflection of his Augustinian roots and the values he seeks to promote during his pontificate, particularly unity and communion within the Church. The shield is divided diagonally into two sections. The upper half features a blue background with a fleur-de-lys. The lily has always been the symbol of fertility and purity, and in Christianity it symbolizes the Blessed Mother (though it can also refer to the Trinity). The Pope's devotion to the Virgin Mary was evident from his first appearance, when he referred to the Madonna of Pompeii and asked the crowd to recite an Ave Maria with him.. The lower half of the shield has a light background and displays an image that recalls the Order of Saint Augustine: a closed book with a heart pierced by an arrow. This is a direct reference to the conversion experience of Saint Augustine himself, who described his personal encounter with God’s Word using the phrase: “Vulnerasti cor meum verbo tuo” – “You have pierced my heart with your Word.” Pope Leo XIV has also chosen a motto that reflects this Augustinian tradition: In Illo uno unum, which means “In the One, we are one.” The phrase is taken from Saint Augustine’s Exposition on Psalm 127, where he explains that “although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.” He said “I believe it is very important to promote communion in the Church, and we know well that communion, participation, and mission are the three key words of the Synod. So, as an Augustinian, for me promoting unity and communion is fundamental.” Eventually the pallium will be added in the lower part of the image, probably with red crosses instead of black.