Vatican City: The Holy See has officially unveiled the portrait and signature of Pope Leo XIV, marking a significant ceremonial milestone following his recent election. The newly released image depicts the Holy Father adorned in traditional papal regalia—a crimson mantle, an ornate embroidered headpiece, and a golden pectoral cross symbolizing his new role as the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church.

This formal portrait, now set to be displayed in Catholic churches and affiliated institutions worldwide, features the papal signature accompanied by the Latin initials "P.P.," short for Pastor Pastorum, meaning "Shepherd of Shepherds." While this age-old inscription has long been a hallmark of papal signatures, it had been notably set aside by Pope Francis, who preferred the simpler “Franciscus.”

The solemn inauguration of Pope Leo XIV is scheduled for May 18 at St. Peter’s Basilica. Born in Chicago, Illinois, the pontiff—known previously as Robert Prevost—began his ecclesiastical journey within the Order of Saint Augustine. His early ministry included service as a parish priest and diocesan official in Peru during the 1980s and 1990s.

Cardinal Prevost was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2023. That same year, he was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. He previously held the position of Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru (2015–2023), and served as the Prior General of the Augustinian Order from 2001 to 2013.