The Vatican published on Saturday the official shield of Pope Leo XIV, linked to San Agustín. The pontifical shield retains the essential form and elements of the blazon that the then Bishop Robert Prevost adopted in his episcopal consecration.
The emblem, which now represents it as the successor of San Pedro, reinforces his spiritual identity within the Augustinian tradition. It is diagonally divided into two parts: In the upper section, on a blue background, a white lily appears, symbol of purity; While at the bottom, on a clear background, a closed book is represented with a heart transferred by an arrow, an image that evokes the conversion of St. Augustine And his famous expression “you have crossed my heart with your word.”
Together with the shield, the official motto of the pontificate was also announced: in the unum, which translates as “in that one, only one.” The phrase is taken from a sermon from St. Augustine about Psalm 127 and expresses the ideal of unity of Christians in Christ, central theme in the spirituality of the order of St. Augustine, to which the new Pope belongs.
The choice to maintain both the shield and the motto of its episcopal stage It indicates a clear intention of continuity. During an interview in 2023, then Cardinal Prevost had already stressed that unity within the Church would be a priority of its pastoral mission, in tune with Augustinian thought.
In addition to the shield and motto, the Holy See spread the official portrait of Leo XIV, which will be placed in parishes, diocese and representations as a sign of communion with the Bishop of Rome. In the image, the pontiff appears with a red muleta, embroidered stole, white root and gold pectoral cross, as the world was presented for the first time from the balcony of the Basilica of San Pedro.
The portrait includes its autograph firm accompanied by the traditional abbreviation “PP”, which means Pontifex Pontificum (“Pontiff of the Pontiffs”), Formula used to underline the unique role of the Pope in the Church. With these elements, Leo XIV marks the beginning of a pontificate focused on communion, Augustinian spiritual identity and the call to unity among believers.
