One can often learn something about a modern Pope from the Coat of Arms he chooses. Here are some hints to Leo XIV from his choice of Arms.
From Aleteia
By Philip Kosloski
As a cardinal, Pope Leo XIV placed the Augustinian emblem on his coat of arms, which contains much symbolism.Whenever a priest is consecrated a bishop and later named a cardinal, he adopts an official coat of arms. Typically this coat of arms is carried over if he is elected pope, though he could choose to modify it.
Update. Since this article was first published, the Vatican Secretary of State has posted a first image of the coat of arms.
Each of the last three popes continued to use essentially the same coat of arms they already possessed as a cardinal when their pontificate was inaugurated.
It is expected that Pope Leo XIV will adopt a similar coat of arms to what he possessed when he was a cardinal.
One of the main features of his coat of arms is the emblem of the Augustinian Order, the religious order that he is a member of.
Augustinian emblem
On his coat of arms is a book, upon which is a heart pierced with an arrow.
The Midwest Augustinians provides a description of the symbolism of the heart:
The flaming heart is the human heart. It symbolizes Augustine's love of God and his fellow brothers and sisters. The Augustinian heart is passionately alive, with the desire to know God and experience divine love in our lives.
The book, either open or closed, has the following symbolism:
[The book] represents the Sacred Scriptures and St. Augustine's own conversion to Christianity. It symbolizes the Word of God, source of light and truth, and the quest for wisdom.
Augustine's conversion famously took place when a voice instructed him to "take and read" the Scriptures.
Last of all the arrow “which pierces the heart represents the Spirit of God piercing our hearts, calling us to continued growth in faith, hope and love.”
This is further confirmed in the Order's Constitutions.
The opening words of Saint Augustine's Rule give us direction: we are to be of one mind and heart on the way to God. We are travelers on pilgrimage together, wherein Christ is our constant companion, as well as our way and our goal.
The activity of our journey is shaped by Augustine's own experience and counsel, and is characterized by three essential elements: the constant search for God by means of a deep interior life; the practical love of neighbor; and the constant pursuit of truth.
The emblem evokes St. Augustine’s own words written in his Confession:
You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.
It is a powerful spirituality, one that also reflects the modern search for meaning in life.
Pope Leo, who defined himself in his first address as a "Son of St. Augustine," will set out during his pontificate to encounter all those who are searching for God with an Augustinian point of view.
Also Marian
The other main image is the white fleur de lis on a blue background, a Marian image (though it can also refer to the Trinity). The Pope's devotion to the Virgin Mary was evident from his first appearance, when he referred to the Madonna of Pompeii and asked the crowd to recite an Ave Maria with him.
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