Pope Leo XIV has a New Papal Staff - 5 Things to Know about the Pope's Crosier with his Engraved Motto and Special Symbolism!


A New Symbol of Hope: The Papal Crosier of Leo XIV

1. On January 6, 2026—a day marking both the Solemnity of the Epiphany and the conclusion of the 2025 Jubilee of Hope—Pope Leo XIV introduced a new papal crosier. This sacred staff is more than a liturgical accessory; it is a profound theological statement on the mission of the modern papacy.

2. From the Ferula to the Pastoral Cross

Historically, Popes did not use a traditional hooked crosier (the baculus) like other bishops. Instead, they used the ferula pontificalis, a staff topped with a simple cross representing their spiritual and temporal authority.

  • Traditional Use: Historically, the ferula was rarely seen in liturgy, reserved for specific rites like the opening of the Holy Door or church consecrations.

  • The Modern Shift: This changed in 1965 when Saint Paul VI introduced a silver pastoral staff featuring a crucifix by sculptor Lello Scorzelli. This shifted the symbolism from a sign of "power" to a sign of being a "witness to Christ crucified."

  • The Legacy: Successive Popes, including Saint John Paul II and Benedict XVI, continued this tradition, each selecting staffs that emphasized the central "Kerygma"—the core message of the Gospel.

3. The Design of Pope Leo XIV’s Crosier

The new staff used by Pope Leo XIV draws inspiration from the "Scorzellian" style of Paul VI but offers a distinct theological evolution. Rather than depicting the suffering of the Passion, it focuses on the Glory of the Resurrection.

  • The Glorified Christ: The figure of Christ is shown not bound by nails, but with a glorified body in the act of ascending to the Father.

  • The Wounds of Victory: While the wounds of the cross remain visible, they are rendered as luminous signs of victory, suggesting that while human pain exists, it is transfigured by divine life.

  • The Motto: Engraved on the staff is the Pope’s motto, “In illo uno unum” (In that one, [we are] one), emphasizing the unity of the Church through communion with Christ.

4. Deep Symbolic Meaning

While a bishop’s crosier is modeled after a shepherd’s crook to guide a local flock, the Papal staff serves a unique purpose for the universal Church:

FeatureSignificance
The TimingDebuted at the closing of the Holy Door, signaling the "completion" of the Jubilee journey.
The AscensionSymbolizes that humanity, through Christ, now "sits at the right hand of the Father."
Petrine MinistryRepresents the Pope's specific duty to "confirm his brothers in the faith" and preside in charity.

5. Conclusion: A Foundation of Light

By carrying this new staff, Pope Leo XIV reinforces a central pillar of his papacy: that the darkness of the world cannot overcome the light of Christ’s victory. It serves as a visual reminder that the Church’s foundation is not found in earthly structures, but in the mystery of the crucified and risen Lord.

Source: https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/2026/documents/liturgy_doc_20260108_nuovo-pastorale-papale_it.html

Image: Vatican Media https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/it/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/it/2026/1/6/epifania.html

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