Exploring Pope Francis’Coat of Arms and Motto

Pope Francis’ coat of arms remains very similar to the one he used as Bishop of Buenos Aires.

Bishop of Buenos Aires Pope Francis

He has replaced the Cardinals hat with the Papal Mitre and

added the cross keys of St. Peter.

The shield has a bright blue background, at the centre top there is a yellow radiant sun with

the IHS christogram on it representing Jesus (it is also the Jesuit logo).

The IHS monogram, has a cross that pierces the H, and three black nails directly under them

Under that, to the left, is a star representing Mary, Mother of Christ and the Church

To the right of the star is a nard flower representing Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church

With these symbols the Pope demonstrates his love for the Holy Family.

JESUS

JOSEPHMARY

Francis’ papal motto, displayed with the coat of arms, is also the same as the one he used as a bishop

it is “miserando atque eligendo,” which in Latin means

“by having mercy, by choosing him.”

It is taken from a homily of the Venerable Bede on the call of St. Matthew:

“Jesus saw the tax collector and by having mercy chose him as an Apostle saying to him: Follow me.”

INVESTIGATION TASKS

Why is the Mitre the Papal

hat?Why do the cross keys

represent St. Peter and his successors?

What do the letters IHS stand for?

What does the burning sun represent?

Why is Mary represented by

a star?

What significance

does the nard flower have

for St. Joseph?

Why is the H pierced with a

cross?

Why are there 3 nails

depicted?

Read the Gospel of St. Matthew 9:9-13

Explain in your own words why you think Pope Francis

chose his motto

Discuss the message of the Gospel passage in pairs or

groups

Further Investigation

Choose one of the following to Investigate further:•The coat of arms and motto of your diocese•The coat of arms and motto of a previous Pope•Research and explain in your own words why the Pope chose Francis as his name.