It has been ten days since the election of Pope Leo XIV, who was chosen as the new Bishop of Rome following the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21. At 69 years old, the Chicago-born pontiff has already made several public appearances, including his first Mass—where part of the liturgy was delivered in English—and has launched an official social media presence ahead of his inaugural Mass on Sunday, May 18, at the Vatican.
Ahead of that event, the Vatican released Pope Leo’s official papal portrait, and one detail quickly caught the attention of viewers online.
In the portrait, Pope Leo is shown in traditional white vestments, wearing a gold cross and offering a calm smile. His Coat of Arms appears in the lower right corner, accompanied by the Latin phrase “In illo uno unum”—translated as “In the One, we are one.” Beneath it is his papal signature: “Leo P.P. XIV.”
The abbreviation “P.P.” sparked online discussion. One user on Reddit asked, “What does ‘P.P.’ stand for?” The answer, widely supported in the thread, pointed to the Latin title Pastor Pastorum—meaning “Shepherd of Shepherds”—a reference to the pope’s role as a spiritual guide to other Church leaders. Though older titles such as Pontifex Maximus (“Supreme Pontiff”) were once used, P.P. has become the more common modern form in papal signatures.
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