Pope Francis' Coat Of Arms: Jesuit Roots & Symbolism Explained
What secrets does the Popes personal emblem hold, and how does it reflect his journey and beliefs? Pope Francis's coat of arms is a rich tapestry of symbolism, woven to reveal both his personal history and his profound spiritual identity.
Unveiled during a Vatican press conference, the official coat of arms of Pope Francis, a testament to his personal history, immediately captured the attention of the world. The design, remarkably similar to the one he adopted as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, offers a deep dive into the Popes life, faith, and the pivotal influences that have shaped his pontificate. The decision to retain his episcopal coat of arms, with a few subtle yet significant modifications, underscores his commitment to continuity and the enduring nature of his core values.
Here is a detailed look at the life and career of Pope Francis:
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Born | December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentine and Vatican City citizen |
| Religious Order | Society of Jesus (Jesuits) |
| Ordained | Ordained as a Jesuit priest on December 13, 1969 |
| Episcopal Ordination | Ordained as auxiliary bishop of Buenos Aires on June 27, 1992 |
| Archbishop of Buenos Aires | Appointed Archbishop on February 28, 1998 |
| Cardinal | Elevated to Cardinal on February 21, 2001 |
| Papal Election | Elected Pope on March 13, 2013 |
| Papal Name | Francis |
| Papal Motto | "Miserando atque eligendo" ("Having mercy and choosing him") |
| Coat of Arms | Features the emblem of the Society of Jesus (sun with IHS Christogram), a star representing Mary, and a spikenard representing St. Joseph. |
| Significant Actions | First Jesuit Pope, focused on mercy, poverty, and social justice; reformed the Vatican Bank and Curia. |
| Other notable facts | He is known for his simplicity, humility, and outreach to the marginalized. Pope Francis has emphasized the importance of environmental stewardship, issuing the encyclical "Laudato si'," which calls for action on climate change. |
For further information, you can consult the Vatican's official biography of Pope Francis.
At the heart of the papal coat of arms lies a deep well of theological and personal significance. The azure (blue) field serves as the backdrop for three key elements, each representing a different facet of Pope Franciss identity. The uppermost charge is the emblem of the Society of Jesus, the religious order to which he belongs. This central symbol, a radiant sun, is within which is the IHS christogram (a monogram of the holy name of jesus) in red, with a red cross surmounting the h and three black nails below the h. This sunburst also signifies Jesus. This is a clear and direct homage to his Jesuit roots. This choice immediately identifies him as a member of the Society and highlights the Jesuit values that inform his papacy.
Beneath the sun, a star and a spikenard flower add further layers of meaning. The star symbolizes the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, reflecting the Popes deep devotion to her. The spikenard, a type of flower, represents St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, and highlights the value of humility and service. These symbols collectively represent the Holy Family, a core element of Christian faith. The choice of these symbols underscores the importance of family, faith, and the fundamental principles of the Gospel in the Pope's worldview.
The motto chosen by Pope Francis, Miserando atque eligendo, meaning "by having mercy on him and choosing him," is drawn from a passage assigned in the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours. This phrase is not merely a decoration; it's the foundational principle that underpins his pontificate. It reflects a core tenet of his theological approach: mercy, compassion, and inclusion. It speaks volumes about his priorities and the values he hopes to instill in the Church. The motto also encapsulates the story of his calling, emphasizing the merciful gaze of God towards each individual.
In addition to the symbols already mentioned, the coat of arms is surmounted by the mitre, which now serves as the traditional head covering for the Bishop of Rome, and the keys of Saint Peter, representing the authority and power of the papacy. This design is a significant departure from the papal tiara, which was used by previous popes. Instead, the mitre underscores his role as a bishop, emphasizing his commitment to humility and pastoral care over ostentation and ceremonial authority. The keys, of course, remain a crucial symbol, representing the power to "loose and bind" as given to St. Peter.
The coat of arms that Pope Francis has adopted is thus a masterfully crafted visual narrative. It brings together his religious order, his devotion to the Holy Family, and his focus on mercy and humility. Its a symbol that not only identifies him but also communicates a powerful message about his vision for the Church and his approach to the papacy. This embrace of simplicity and meaningful symbolism provides a compelling insight into the character and mission of the first Jesuit Pope.
Pope Francis's coat of arms also showcases several unique elements that differentiate it from those of his predecessors. He has chosen to replace the papal tiara, a symbol of the authority and roles of the Pope, with a simple mitre. The mitre represents the Pope's role as Bishop of Rome. The tiara and keys remain the symbol of the papacy, and appear on the coat of arms of the holy see and (reversed) on the flag of vatican city.
The coat of arms is almost identical to the one he used as cardinal jorge mario bergoglio of Buenos Aires, demonstrating a consistent identity and a commitment to the values he has held throughout his ministry. The coat of arms of pope francis, pope benedict xvi and pope john paul ii all has the same major components: but pope john paul ii used a papal tiara while pope francis and pope benedict xvi both used the mitre instead of a papal tiara.
Pope francis has decided to keep his previous coat of arms, chosen at the time of his episcopal consecration and marked by linear simplicity. The blue shield is surmounted by the symbols of papal dignity, the same as those used by his predecessor benedict xvi (the mitre above crossed keys of gold and silver, bound by the red cord). Something pope francis seems to have changed is to have removed the pallium, the woolen stole symbolizing a bishops authority, to the elements surrounding the shield. The pallium was a new element pope benedict added to his coat of arms in 2005. The new papal blazon contains the same symbols pope francis had on his episcopal coat of arms. Pope francis papal coat of arms are the same that he used as bishop. The shield has a bright blue background, at the center top of which is a yellow radiant sun with the ihs christogram representing jesus (it is also the jesuit logo).
The sunburst symbol of the society of jesus is prominently displayed on the blue shield. The sunburst also signifies jesus. Beyond the motto, the coat of arms has a blue field and is surmounted by the mitre and the papal keys. On the crest itself at the centre is the symbol of the jesuits, a flaming sun with the three letters recalling the name and the salvific mission of jesus. Miserando atque eligendo was chosen by francis as motto for his papal coat of arms, already his episcopal motto. The phrase is drawn from a passage assigned in the catholic liturgy of the hours.
