The Augustinian Roots of Pope Leo XIV: Exploring His Coat of Arms and Motto
Recently, Pope Leo XIV unveiled his coat of arms, which serves as a powerful reflection of his deep Augustinian roots and the values he aims to uphold during his papacy, particularly unity and communion within the Church.
The coat of arms features a striking design, with the shield divided diagonally into two sections. The upper half showcases a blue background adorned with a white lily, symbolizing purity and devotion.
On the lower half of the shield, a light background displays an image reminiscent of the Order of Saint Augustine: a closed book with a heart pierced by an arrow. This image directly references the conversion experience of Saint Augustine himself, who famously described his encounter with God’s Word as: “Vulnerasti cor meum verbo tuo” – “You have pierced my heart with your Word.”
The Motto: “In Illo uno unum”
In addition to his coat of arms, Pope Leo XIV has chosen a motto that aligns with the Augustinian tradition: “In Illo uno unum,” which translates to “In the One, we are one.” This phrase is derived from Saint Augustine’s Exposition on Psalm 127, emphasizing the unity of all Christians in Christ.
In a 2023 interview, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost delved into the significance of this motto, stating, “Unity and communion are truly part of the charism of the Order of Saint Augustine, and also of my way of acting and thinking. 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 profound reflection on Psalm 127 underscores the theological foundation of this concept. He writes, “Christ – head and body – is one single man. And what is the body of Christ? His Church. 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.”
