Papal Coat of Arms
Every pope of the Roman Catholic Church has his own personal coat of arms that serves as a symbol of his papacy.
Until the current papacy of Pope Benedict XVI, each coat of arms always contained the image of the papal tiara. Benedict XVI has ignored heraldic custom and used instead the mitre and pallium. Each papal coat of arms also features a gold and silver key, representing the power to bind and to loose on earth (silver) and in heaven (gold).
All the other symbols featured on the crest are personally selected by the Pontiff to represent his own unique heritage, beliefs, ambitions, heros, or inspirations.
Coats Of Arms of Recent Popes
| Benedict XVI (2005-present) | John Paul II (1978-2005) | John Paul I (1978) | Paul VI (1963-1978) | John XXIII (1958-1963) |
| Pius XII (1939-1958) | Pius XI (1922-1939) | Benedict XV (1914-1922) | Pius X (1903-1914) |
Other Pope-related coats of arms
| Vatican City National Coat of Arms. Does not change. | Sede vacante Coat of Arms, used when there is no reigning pope |
| Papal rituals, symbols & ceremonial | |
|
Apostolic Palace|
Coat of Arms of popes|
Conclave|
Coronation|
Holy See|
Inauguration|
Papal Oath|
Papal Ring|
Sedia Gestoria|
Sistine Chapel|
Cathedral of St. John Lateran|
Pallium|
St. Peter's Basilica|
St. Peter's Square|
Papal Tiara|
Vatican City |
Categories: Popes