MAS QUE UN CAPITAN AMERICA

El tiene un Escudo más poderoso. Es un León. El 14 de su especie. Viene de un linaje de 2000 años. Es el sucesor de Pedro, "La Roca"... ARTÍCULO EN CASTELLANO (DESCARGABLE). En honor al Papa y su país de nacimiento, continuamos en su lengua natal... THE Lion... Crosses, crossroads, and coats of arms: Making the sign of the cross with joy in these new times How beautiful it is to live in times when a papal coat of arms once again shines clearly—uniting us, protecting us, guiding us! Amid a humanity racing through technological crossroads, crises of meaning, and global challenges, we celebrate the presence of a new shepherd, Pope Leo XIV, whose coat of arms is not just a symbol, but a compass for the soul. And indeed, in life, as we well know, there are crosses ... and crossroads . The crosses  are the burdens we all carry: pain, trials, difficult decisions. They accompany us silently, but also purify us, shape us, redeem us. In those moments, almost instinctively, many make the sign of the cross—seeking strength, consolation, clarity. It’s a simple gesture, yet full of power: invoking the Spirit to keep moving forward. Then come the crossroads —as when driving and reaching an intersection. Here too, a small bodily miracle occurs: we look ahead, into the rearview mirror, to the left, to the right, and back again. A true ocular cross-signing ! As if our body knew that at every intersection, we must pause, discern, and ask for light before continuing. Both gestures—the one of the soul and the one on the road—remind us that we are not alone. That in life’s crosses and crossroads, we need orientation, protection… and yes, a coat of arms too. The Coat of Arms of Pope Leo XIV: a symbol of unity, guidance, and ascension The new Pope’s coat of arms is not mere decoration. It is a message. A visual catechesis. A shield that both embraces and sends forth. On the left side , over a deep blue background, shines a silver fleur-de-lis , the traditional symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It represents purity, listening faith, and the obedience that blossoms in the impossible. It is Mary’s “yes” as a shield against the noise of the world. On the right side , a burning heart —the Sacred Heart of Jesus—rests upon an open book , representing revealed Truth and the Living Word. Together, they proclaim that love and truth are not separate: the heart loves what the book teaches. It is passion with foundation, fire with wisdom. Behind the shield, the crossed keys of the Kingdom of Heaven , one gold and one silver, signify the power to bind and loose, to discern the visible and invisible, the earthly and the eternal. The papal tiara  and red infulae  complete the composition—not as symbols of domination, but as signs of a service that carries the weight and glory of steering Peter’s barque through the storms. And below it all, in sober script, the motto that says it all: “In illo uno unum” — In That One, One. Making the sign and taking up the shield: from 360° to Heaven Making the sign of the cross is a wise and necessary act. It aligns us with God in the here and now. It orients us within the 360 degrees of earthly life: thought (forehead), heart (chest), burdens (left shoulder), and mission (right shoulder). We do it with our eyes too: at every crossroad, we look forward, to both sides, and behind. It's how we remain awake, attentive, and protected. But while the sign of the cross prepares us to walk on earth, what about looking toward Heaven? How do we move from horizontal orientation to vertical elevation? Here is where the coat of arms  gains new meaning. Keeping it close—at home, at work, or within the heart—is not merely an act of loyalty. It’s a tangible reminder that we are not living just to avoid crashes, but to seek sanctity . That we are not just surviving the crossroads, but crossing them with faith and with our gaze set on eternity. The coat of arms of Pope Leo XIV—with its burning heart, fleur-de-lis, crossed keys, and book—does more than protect: it elevates . It reminds us that we come from above and are called to return there. It constantly invites us to look beyond the day-to-day, to keep the flame alive, and to walk with purpose. Just as the sign of the cross keeps us aware on the earthly plane, taking up the shield  propels us toward Heaven. It reminds us that the cross is not the end, but the bridge. That the crossroads are not barriers, but gateways. And that gazing at the coat of arms each day may already be the beginning of sanctification. Closing: from symbol to eternal life The coat of arms of Pope Leo XIV is a beacon for these new times. A quiet yet firm call to live with a burning heart, with Mary’s purity, with the strength of the Word, and with eyes fixed on eternity. And it all comes down to his motto: “In illo uno unum” — In That One, One. In Him, we are united. In Him, we are sanctified. And with His shield as our companion, we cross paths and carry crosses—no longer as burdens, but as luminous routes to Heaven. RSC / ADN@+6