Traditional Anglo-Papist

18 July 2006

What happened to the Papal Coat of Arms?

I was just reading the Wikipedia article on Papal Coat of Arms. At the bottom of the article is a number of examples of coat of arms for past popes. Notice anything? Sure did. Here is an example, the Papal Coat of Arms of Pius XI:Notice the keys and the tiara - signs of the papacy.

Now here is the Papal Coat of Arms of present Holy Father:The keys are there (just!) but where is the tiara?

posted by Bob Catholic at 4:26 PM

6 Comments:

  • I believe JPII is the one who jettisoned the triple tiara, isn't he?

    By Blogger texanglican, at Wednesday, July 19, 2006 3:42:00 AM  

  • JPII had the tiara on the coat of arms, as did the previous ones, but didn't actually wear one, obviously. I think B16 is the first to actually use a mere mitre on the coat of arms.

    By Blogger Adam, at Wednesday, July 19, 2006 4:16:00 AM  

  • I've also seen versions of +++B-XVI's coat of arms with the papal tiara. I'm guessing this mitre is a stylised version thereof.

    -j

    By Blogger John J. O'Sullivan™, at Saturday, July 22, 2006 1:24:00 AM  

  • I'm guessing this mitre is a stylised version thereof

    That's the best spin that can be placed on this innovation.

    There is much to suggest that the Holy Father came under a great deal of pressure during the first twenty-four hours of his pontificate, and ended up acceding to things which it seems unlikely that Cardinal Ratzinger would have approved of.

    By Blogger Paul Goings, at Saturday, July 22, 2006 4:00:00 AM  

  • Deary me, you poor Anglo-Catholics are so behind the news...

    The use of the mitre intstead of the triple tiara is an innovation of Papa Benny himself. JPII had it, as did his predecessors. When Benedict made public his chosen coat of arms, the missing tiara was the cause of much discussion.

    Nb. The tiara is still there on the papal flag, but not on B16's personal coat of arms.

    The meaning of the innovation? Probably he wants to emphasise his role as a bishop. He has certainly shown a very collegial style since election.

    Always keep in mind, his first ecumenical priority is full communion with the Orthodox.

    For more info, see: http://www.ewtn.com/library/CHISTORY/armsb16.HTM

    By Blogger Schütz, at Monday, July 24, 2006 11:14:00 PM  

  • JPI, Pope for a month in 1978, stopped using the tiara.

    By Blogger The young fogey, at Thursday, August 03, 2006 10:11:00 AM  

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