In a deeply symbolic and personal gesture, Pope Leo XIV received a pectoral cross on the day of his election containing relics of four bishops who have profoundly shaped the life and mission of the Church—most notably, his namesake, Pope St. Leo the Great.
The cross, crafted in silver and designed as a reliquary, was a gift from the Circolo San Pietro, an organization founded in 1869 under the guidance of Blessed Pope Pius IX to provide meals for Rome’s poor. The relics enclosed within the cross are of Pope St. Leo the Great, St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Thomas of Villanova, and Blessed Anselmo Polanco—each an Augustinian figure, representing a spiritual lineage close to the Holy Father’s heart.
On May 8, the day of his election, Pope Leo XIV was presented with the cross, “donated by the Circolo San Pietro,” according to Vatican News. It was designed under the inspiration of Father Bruno Silvestrini, OSA, who serves as Custode del Sacrario Apostolico (Guardian of the Apostolic Sanctuary) and is a member of the Augustinian community attached to the Pontifical Sacristy.
Father Silvestrini envisioned the cross as a sign of Pope Leo’s spiritual dependence on the guidance of “Pope Leo the Great,” the first pontiff to bear that name and a towering figure in Church history. Known for defining the doctrine of the Incarnation and emphasizing the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, Leo the Great “composed some of the most beautiful prayers of the Roman Missal,” and earned the title Magnus for his contributions to unity and doctrine nearly 16 centuries ago.
Bringing the vision to life was Antonino Cottone, an expert in traditional medieval reliquary techniques. As Vatican News reports, Cottone had already “made five reliquaries using traditional medieval techniques” before this special commission. He crafted the papal pectoral cross using gilded paper filigrees—known as paperoles—on red moiré silk, a textile that gives off an iridescent effect. Tiny paper flowers, rolled and glued with exquisite precision, cradle the sacred relics within.
Though the construction only took two hours, the work required “painstaking precision and passionate dedication,” according to the report. When completed, the reliquary was fitted inside the silver cross and placed around the Pope’s neck.
The pectoral cross unites in one sacred object four pillars of faith and episcopal courage: the defender of the faith in turbulent Rome (Leo the Great), the Doctor of Grace (St. Augustine), the reforming archbishop of Valencia (St. Thomas of Villanova), and the 20th-century martyr of Spain’s civil war (Blessed Anselmo Polanco).
Pope Leo XIV “joyfully received the pectoral cross enriched with the relics of four bishops particularly dear to him,” a poignant reminder of the spiritual legacy he now carries as the successor of Peter.
This gesture by Pope Leo XIV is truly profound and deeply symbolic. The inclusion of relics from such influential bishops highlights the continuity and strength of the Church’s mission. It’s fascinating how the pectoral cross unites these four pillars of faith, each representing a unique aspect of episcopal courage. The craftsmanship and dedication behind its creation are commendable, especially considering it was completed in just two hours. This act serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual legacy that Pope Leo XIV now carries. It’s inspiring to see how he embraces this responsibility with such joy and reverence. What do you think about the choice of these specific bishops and their relevance to the Church today?