Pope Leo XIV’s Coat of Arms Honors Marian Devotion and Augustinian Legacy

Vatican City, May 14, 2025: Pope Leo XIV’s newly unveiled coat of arms blends symbolic elements reflecting his deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and his connection to St. Augustine’s teachings, the Holy See Press Office announced on Wednesday. The coat of arms, which was explained by Fr. Antonio Pompili, Vice President of the Italian Heraldic-Genealogical Institute, features Marian and Augustinian symbols intertwined with traditional papal imagery.

The design incorporates the crossed keys of St. Peter and the episcopal mitre, two well-established symbols of the papacy. In the upper left corner, a silver fleur-de-lis against a light blue background represents the Virgin Mary, while the bottom right section depicts a red heart pierced by an arrow and topped with a flame, symbolising the Augustinian order. This heart rests upon a red book with an ivory background, signifying the transformative power of God’s Word.

Pope Leo XIV’s motto, "IN ILLO UNO UNUM" ("In the One, we are one"), sits at the base of the shield. This phrase echoes St. Augustine’s interpretation of Psalm 127, where he asserts that Christians, though many, are united in Christ. 

The coat of arms thus carries a dual significance: the blue field invokes the heavens, the lily appearing as the classic symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary, while the heart and arrow motif connects the Pope’s legacy to the Augustinian order, where he served as Prior General.

The inclusion of the open book highlights St. Augustine’s intellectual contributions to the Church, while the ivory colour represents holiness and purity, frequently used in the heraldry of religious orders. Through these symbols, Pope Leo XIV’s coat of arms pays tribute to both his personal devotion and his religious heritage.

Courtesy: Vatican News