Pope’s title, coat of arms and motto

According to Vatican spokesman Father Lombardi, the new pope was named Francis, after Saint Francis, the ancestor of the Franciscans. Assisi as an example.

Pope Francis’ coat of arms is full of symbolic meaning. In addition to the papal hat, Peter’s gold and silver keys and woolen sash, the patterns are the same as those of the emeritus Pope Benedict XVI. The design on the shield remains the same as when he was appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina. In addition, Pope Francis also retained the motto of his days as archbishop: "Chosen by charity."

The blue shield on the coat of arms of Pope Francis is divided into three parts. In the center of the top is a radiant sun, with a prominent red font IHS, which is the first three letters of the Greek word Jesus. , embodying the typical monogram of the Jesuits, the religious order to which the pope belongs. There is a cross on the letter H and three black nails below it.

There is a five-pointed star on the lower left side of the shield and a nard flower on the lower right side. According to ancient heraldry, the pentagram symbolizes the Virgin Mary, mother of Christ and the Church; while the nard flower refers to Saint Joseph, patron of the universal Church. In traditional Spanish iconography, Saint Joseph holds a sprig of nard flower in his hand. Pope Francis placed these images in his coat of arms to express his special devotion to Our Lady and Saint Joseph.

Pope Francis’ motto is “Elected by charity”. This sentence is taken from the sermon of the priest of St. Beda. When commenting on the Gospel story of St. Matthew’s calling, he wrote: Jesus saw a tax collector, looked upon him with affection, chose him, and said to him: Follow me.

This sermon has special significance in the pope’s life and spiritual path. Indeed, on the feast of St. Matthew in 1953, Jorge Bergoglio, who was only 17 years old, experienced God’s love in his life in a very special way. After his confession, he was deeply moved and felt God's mercy descending on him, looking at him with loving tenderness, calling him to imitate Ignatius Loyola and lead a religious life.

Later, Bergoglio was appointed bishop, and he still remembered this incident, which marked the beginning of his complete dedication to God and his Church, and his decision to honor San Beda's " The words “chosen by charity” serve as a motto and guideline for life. Therefore, Pope Francis intends to completely retain the motto from when he was a bishop on the papal coat of arms.

Pope Francis’ coat of arms has received a subtle yet significant change. The five-pointed star on the lower left side of the blue shield of the original emblem was changed to an eight-pointed star, which means "the eight blessings"; the nard flower on the lower right side, which represents St. Joseph, the patron saint of the universal church, has been adjusted in form and is now more visible. The appearance of flowers. Finally, there is the pope's motto "miserando atque eligendo" (chosen by charity), which is embedded in a white ribbon edged with red and placed below the shield. The Jesuit emblem on the coat of arms remains intact.