An earlier coat of arms chosen by Pope Francis since his episcopal consecration carved in the sand of the beach of Platamona. In that shield is traced a mitre, placed between gold and silver crossed keys, bound by a red cord. At the top, stands out the emblem of the order of his origin, the Society of Jesus, drawn with a radiant and flaming sun charged with the letters, IHS, monogram of Christ. The letter H is surmounted by a cross, at the top, the three nails.

The sand sculpture was created by the artist Nicola Urru, at the fifth Pettine of the Sorso coast, on the day of the funeral of the Holy Father in Rome . A tribute to the Pontiff who marked history with his linear simplicity.

At the bottom of the sculpture are the star and the spikenard flower. The star, according to ancient heraldic tradition, symbolizes the Virgin Mary, mother of Christ and the Church, while the spikenard flower indicates Saint Joseph, patron of the universal Church . In the Hispanic iconographic tradition, in fact, Saint Joseph is depicted with a branch of spikenard in his hand. By placing these images on his shield, Pope Francis intended to express your special devotion to the Most Holy Virgin and Saint Joseph.

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