Coat of arms of the Holy See

Coat of arms Holy See

The Coat of Arms of the Holy See represents the sovereignty of the Pope and the Vatican City State. It is a distinctive heraldic emblem that has evolved over centuries, reflecting the history and authority of the Papacy. The coat of arms of the Holy See is different from the Coat of arms of Vatican City, although they share some elements due to the Pope's dual role as the leader of the Catholic Church and the head of state of the Vatican City.

Description

The coat of arms of the Holy See consists of two main elements: the ecclesiastical hat known as the galero with its fifteen tassels on each side, arranged in five rows, all in green; and the crossed keys of Saint Peter. One key is gold and the other is silver, symbolizing the keys to the kingdom of heaven given by Jesus Christ to Saint Peter, according to the New Testament. The keys are tied together by a red cord. Over the years, the design of the coat of arms has seen minor variations, but these elements have remained consistent.

Symbolism

The symbols in the coat of arms carry deep meanings. The keys represent the spiritual authority of the Pope as the successor of Saint Peter, the first bishop of Rome, whom Catholics believe was given the keys to heaven by Jesus. The gold key symbolizes spiritual power, while the silver key represents worldly power. The galero, with its specific number of tassels, denotes the rank of its bearer; in this case, the green galero with fifteen tassels on each side is used exclusively for the Pope.

History

The use of the crossed keys as a symbol of the Papal authority dates back to the early centuries of the Church. Over time, the emblem has been refined and formalized into the coat of arms we recognize today. The addition of the galero in the coat of arms is a more recent development, reflecting the heraldic traditions of the Catholic Church.

Usage

The coat of arms of the Holy See is used in various contexts to denote the Papal authority. It appears on documents, buildings, and items associated with the Pope and the administration of the Vatican. It is also used during the Papal conclave and other significant events in the life of the Church.

Differences between the Coat of Arms of the Holy See and Vatican City

While the coat of arms of the Holy See and the Vatican City share the crossed keys and the papal tiara, the Vatican City coat of arms includes a gold and silver key and the Papal Tiara over the keys, which is a symbol of the Papal authority over Vatican City. The coat of arms of the Holy See, on the other hand, focuses on the spiritual and ecclesiastical authority of the Pope.

See also

• Papal regalia and insignia
• Heraldry of the Holy See
• Symbols of the Papacy