Coat of arms of the Holy See

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Coat of arms of the Holy See and of the Vatican City
Details
Escutcheon gules

The Coat of Arms of the Holy See is blazoned gules, two keys in saltire or and argent, interlaced in the rings gules/or, beneath a tiara argent, crowned or. Thus it is simply the emblem of the Papacy displayed on a red field. It is here represented with a gold cord instead of the usual red, so as to contrast with the red of the shield.

[edit] Symbolism

  • The crossed keys of gold and silver symbolise the keys of the kingdom of heaven promised to Saint Peter, with authority to bind and loose (Matthew 16:18-19).
  • The triple crown (the tiara) represents "the three powers of the Supreme Pontiff: Sacred Orders, Jurisdiction and Magisterium",[1] in other words: his functions as "supreme priest", "supreme pastor" and "supreme teacher".
  • The gold cross surmounting the triple crowns symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Coat of Arms of His Holiness Benedict XVI
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