St John Henry Newman, Victoria
Updated: 2DEC2025
Supreme Pontiff Leo XIV
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267 Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, formerly Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost OSA, was born in Chicago, IL, USA, and is a naturalized citizen of Peru. He was elected Pope by his brother cardinals on May 8, 2025. Pope Leo XIV is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine. He is a missionary and was Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, prior to being elected to the Office of Saint Peter.
Pope Leo XIV's coat of arms offers a clear reflection of his Augustinian roots and the values he seeks to promote during his pontificate, particularly unity and communion within the Church. The shield is divided diagonally into two sections. The upper half features a blue background with a white lily. The lower half of the shield has a light background and displays an image that recalls the Order of Saint Augustine: a closed book with a heart pierced by an arrow. This is a direct reference to the conversion experience of Saint Augustine himself, who described his personal encounter with God’s Word using the phrase: “Vulnerasti cor meum verbo tuo” - “You have pierced my heart with your Word.”