The Holy See on Sunday released the official coat of arms of Pope Leo XIV with an inscribed motto that reflects his Augustinian roots.
According to the Vatican Media, the coat of arms of the 267th leader of the Catholic Church 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 white lily.
The lower portion of the shield features a light background, showcasing an emblem associated with the Order of Saint Augustine: a closed book adorned 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),” the Vatican said.
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,’” the Vatican added.
In a 2023 interview with Vatican News’ Tiziana Campisi, then-Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost spoke about the significance of this motto.
“As can be seen from my episcopal motto, unity and communion are truly part of the charism of the Order of Saint Augustine, and also of my way of acting and thinking,” Pope Leo XIV said.
