Here is a picture of Pope Francis’ Coat of Arms. He has kept his episcopal motto: miserando atque eligendo, which he took from a commentary of Saint Bede on the calling of Saint Matthew. Literally it means “showing mercy even by choosing” as Matthew was, in fact, a publican, or a tax collector, who received abundant mercy in his sublime calling to Apostleship.
The symbol of the Jesuit Order appears atop the shield with the cross and the first three Greek letters of the Holy Name. The name of the Order is actually “The Society of Jesus.” The nails of the Passion, the price of our redemption, are beneath the Holy Name.
The star is a symbol of Our Lady, the Morning Star, or the Star of the Sea. What appears to me to be grapes is explained on the Vatican website as a symbol of Saint Joseph as the “flower of nard,” Il fiore del nardo. This could refer to the tradition of the miraculous blossoming of the rod of Saint Joseph to designate him, among other suitors, as God’s choice to be the husband of His Mother Mary. Or, if it is actually grapes, then the translation would be Eucharistic. Can anyone offer some insight here? If it is indeed grapes on the shield, then we would have a coat of arms reflecting the two columns in the great sea-battle vision of Saint John Bosco: Our Lady atop one column, the Holy Eucharist atop the other and taller column, both guiding the barque of Peter to safe harbor between the pillars with the pope steering at the mighty ship’s helm as he and his fleet fight the wind, the waves, and the ramming prows of the enemy.
