Ten days have passed since the election of Pope Leo XIV as the new Bishop of Rome, following the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21. At 69 years old, Pope Leo XIV has already made history with his first Mass—delivered in English—and marked a modern milestone by debuting on social media. All eyes now turn to the Vatican, where he will lead his first official Mass as Pontiff this Sunday, May 18.
Before his first official Mass, the world got its first look at Pope Leo XIV’s official papal portrait—and it didn’t take long for the internet to buzz with commentary. The image shows the Chicago-born pontiff in traditional white robes, a gleaming gold cross around his neck, and a gentle, direct smile. In the bottom right corner sits his Coat of Arms and a line of Latin text: “In illo uno unum”—translated as “In the One, we are one.” Just beneath it, a handwritten sign-off appears: “Leo P.P. XIV.”
But it was that curious abbreviation—P.P.—that sparked the most discussion. “What does the ‘P.P.’ in the middle mean?” asked one Reddit user. Another chimed in, “I’ve been wondering for years. I thought the abbreviation was P.M. for Pontifex Maximus.” As speculation swirled, it was clear the new pope’s image—and its finer details—had already captured global attention.
As the discussion around the papal portrait continued, one commenter offered a plausible explanation for the curious abbreviation: “Recent popes have used ‘P.P.’ When I looked it up, I found it stands for Pastor Pastorum—Latin for ‘Shepherd of Shepherds’ or ‘Pastor of Pastors’. It seems more likely than other suggestions, like Papa et Pontifex (‘Pope and Pontiff’).” Another quickly affirmed, “You’re correct. It is Pastor Pastorum.”
Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV made headlines earlier today (May 16) with bold and controversial remarks on marriage and abortion. According to AP News, the pontiff declared that “a family is established on the stable union between a man and a woman”—a clear stance excluding non-heteronormative relationships. He emphasized that governments must promote peace by “investing in the family, which is founded on the stable union between a man and a woman.”
Pope Leo also called on all people to uphold the dignity of human life: “No one is exempt from the duty to protect the most vulnerable—from the unborn to the elderly, from the sick to the unemployed, citizens and immigrants alike.”
