The Liturgical Celebrations Office of the Supreme Pontiff (Ucepo) has announced the official portrait of Pope Leo XIV, accompanied by his autograph signature.
In the official photograph, Pope Leo XIV shows the red muleta, the embroidered stole, the root and the gold pectoral cross. A choice that marks a clear contrast to the style that characterized its predecessor, Pope Francis, who chose to appear in the world only with white cassock, without traditional ornaments.
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The image, in fact, is the same as when he appeared to the world from the central balcony of the Basilica of San Pedro. Another striking detail in the rubric is the inclusion of the abbreviation “PP”, which means Pontifex Pontificum (“Pontiff of the Pontiffs”), a traditional formula in papal firms.
This notation was not used by his predecessor, Pope Francis, who signed only as “Franciscus.” This can be interpreted as a subtle return to certain traditional protocols.
Victoria Cardiel
Victoria Cardiel is a journalist specialized in social and religious information issues. Since 2013, he has covered all the news of the Vatican for various media, such as the Spanish news agency Europa Press, or the weekly of the Archdiocese of Madrid, Alfa and Omega.