Exploring Pope Francis

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Exploring Pope FrancisCoat of Arms and Motto
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Pope Francis coat of arms remains very similar
to the one he used as Bishop of Buenos Aires.
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Bishop of Buenos Aires
Pope Francis
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He has replaced the Cardinals hat with the Papal
Mitre and added the cross keys of St. Peter.
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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).
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The IHS monogram, has a cross that pierces the H,
and three black nails directly under them
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Under that, to the left, is a star representing
Mary, Mother of Christ and the Church
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To the right of the star is a nard flower
representing Joseph, Patron of the Universal
Church
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With these symbols the Pope demonstrates his love
for the Holy Family.
JESUS
JOSEPH
MARY
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Francis papal motto, displayed with the coat of
arms, is also the same as the one he used as a
bishop
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it is miserando atque eligendo, which in Latin
means by having mercy, by choosing him.
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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.
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INVESTIGATION TASKS
What do the letters IHS stand for?
Why is the H pierced with a cross?
Why is the Mitre the Papal hat?
Why do the cross keys represent St. Peter and his
successors?
What does the burning sun represent?
Why are there 3 nails depicted?
What significance does the nard flower have for
St. Joseph?
Why is Mary represented by a star?
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Read the Gospel of St. Matthew 99-13
Discuss the message of the Gospel passage in
pairs or groups
Explain in your own words why you think Pope
Francis chose his motto
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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.