Tea at Trianon: Pope Leo XIV's Portrait, Signature and Coat-of-Arms

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Pope Leo XIV's Portrait, Signature and Coat-of-Arms

From CNA:

The Vatican unveiled Pope Leo XIV’s official portrait and signature Saturday, revealing the American pontiff’s embrace of traditional papal elements just two days after his historic election.

The formal portrait shows the 69-year-old pope wearing the red mozzetta (short cape), embroidered stole, white rochet, and golden pectoral cross — traditional papal vesture that present a visual contrast to the simpler style preferred by his predecessor. Vatican Media published the portrait alongside the pope’s personal signature, which includes the notation “P.P.” — an abbreviation traditionally used in papal signatures that stands for “Pastor Pastorum” (“Shepherd of Shepherds”). Pope Francis had departed from this convention, signing simply as “Franciscus.”
This return to traditional elements accompanies Leo’s papal coat of arms. The heraldic design features a fleur-de-lis on a blue background, symbolizing the Virgin Mary, while the right side displays the Sacred Heart of Jesus resting on a book against a cream background. This is based on the traditional symbol of the Augustinian Order. The fleur-de-lis has particular significance in Catholic iconography as a symbol of purity and the Virgin Mary. (Read more.)

From Father Vierling on X:

Pope Leo XIV's coat of arms consists of a shield divided into two sectors, each carrying a profound message. On the left side, against a blue background, there is a stylized white lily, a traditional symbol of purity and innocence. This flower, often associated with the Virgin Mary, immediately evokes the Marian dimension of the Pope’s spirituality. This is not a purely devotional call, but a precise indication of the centrality that the Blessed Virgin Mary occupies in the way of the Church: a model of listening, humility, and total surrender to God. On the right side of the shield, on a white background, is represented the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pierced by an arrow and lying on a closed book. This image, intense and full of meaning, refers to the mystery of Christ's redeeming sacrifice, a heart bruised by love for humanity, but also to the Word of God, represented by the closed book. This closed book suggests that divine truth is sometimes veiled and must be received and pursued with the light of faith. It's an invitation to trust and abandonment, to persevere in the pursuit of the Gospel’s deep meaning, even in moments of darkness. The motto chosen by Pope Leo XIV, "In Illo uno unum" is taken from a commentary by Saint Augustine on Psalm 127, summarizes the core of his message: “In Him who is One, we are one. ” These words reflect a Church, united in mind and heart by profession of the same one true Faith, despite the differences and tensions that inevitably permeate it in its human dimension. It is an expression of communion founded and encountered in Christ's love, which makes brotherhood and reconciliation possible even in the most complex contexts. It is not by accident that, in his greeting to the Church and the world, Pope Leo XIV spoke of precisely this: of a Church as a bridge, called to overcome divisions, to make space for meeting, listening and mercy. Ultimately, through his coat of arms and motto, the new Pontiff proposes a vision of a missionary and Marian Church, deeply rooted in the love of Jesus Christ and faithful to the Gospel. A Church willing to suffer and commit itself entirely to the service of God's people, aware that only in unity with the Lord can all diversity find harmony. (Read more.)

The fleur-de-lis can also be said to represent the French heritage His Holiness, whose family is also from Louisiana. I love the papal tiara but newer versions have it replaced with the bishop's mitre. Here is more on the Augustinian roots of His Holiness from Vatican News:

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,” 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.”
Saint Augustine’s reflection on Psalm 127 highlights the theological foundation of this idea. “Christ - head and body - is one single man. And what is the body of Christ? His Church,” Augustine writes. He then adds, “Although 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.” (Read more.)

Other Pope Leos: