Pope Benedict had replaced the triple-layered tiara atop the papal coat of arms with the simpler miter of the Bishop of Rome. The three golden horizontal stripes represented the authority given to Peter stretching to heaven, earth, and under the earth. Two keys of St. Peter are crossed behind it, joined by a red cord. Pope Francis retained these traditional symbols. For the shield of his coat of arms, Pope Francis retained his own former blue shield. Symbols of the Society of Jesus are placed at the center; a golden sun with 32 rays with the monogram IHS in the center capped with a cross and having three nails crisscrossed below it. IHS stands for Iesus Hominem Salvator (Jesus, Savior of Men). Below and on each side, Pope Francis placed his own chosen symbols. To the bottom left is an eight-point golden star, representing the Blessed Mother. In fact, Pope Francis had his pontificate dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima on May 13 before dedicating the whole world to her on October 13. To the right is a golden clump of spikenard flowers, a symbol popular in Latin America for St.
What do You think about Pope Francis (Pastor Of Mercy)?
