Pope Francis' Coat of Arms

On the eve of the inauguration Mass, the Vatican released the official coat of arms of the new Pontiff.



On Pope Francis' coat of arms are three symbols: At the top is the "IHS" on the backdrop of a fiery sun, with the cross surmounting the "H". This is the symbol of the Society of Jesus, Pope Francis' religious order. Below the Jesuit symbol are the star, which represents the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the spikenard, which represents St. Joseph.

The motto: "miserando atque eligendo" means "lowly but chosen". This motto is based on the Gospel account of the calling of St. Matthew, in which Jesus tells the tax collector, "Follow me." Read more at Vatican Radio.