杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

杏MAP导航 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 white lily.

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鈥檚 Word using the phrase: 鈥淰ulnerasti cor meum verbo tuo鈥� - 鈥淵ou have pierced my heart with your Word.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Leo XIV's coat of arms

The motto

杏MAP导航 Leo XIV has also chosen a motto that reflects this Augustinian tradition: In Illo uno unum, which means 鈥淚n the One, we are one.鈥� The phrase is taken from Saint Augustine鈥檚 Exposition on Psalm 127, where he explains that 鈥渁lthough we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.鈥�

In a 2023 interview with Vatican News' Tiziana Campisi, then-Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost spoke about the significance of this motto: 鈥淎s 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,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 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.鈥�

Saint Augustine鈥檚 reflection on Psalm 127 highlights the theological foundation of this idea. 鈥淐hrist - head and body - is one single man. And what is the body of Christ? His Church,鈥� Augustine writes. He then adds, 鈥淎lthough we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one. We are many and we are one - because we are united to Him, and if our Head is in heaven, the members will follow.鈥�