The choice of the motto “In illo uno unum” by the new Pope Leo XIV of the catholic church in 2025 highlights his choice to devote his efforts to the unity of all christian churches on earth. This is a centuries old dream of the diversified interpretations and practices within the christian beliefs and traditions. The inaugural sermon of a Pope therefore takes the form of a high stakes announcement for the coming years (Link). The next document from Leo XIV speaks to the importance to preserve the earth as the creation of God with all its diversity as a whole as well as in its parts. We might translate this back into “In illa uno unum”, where in illa stands for the earth, as a female and nature-turned version of the Pope’s chosen Motto. The choice of the tradition of Popes named Leo, like Leo XIII previously was another matter of signalling to his followers that he is firmly embedded into the Augustine tradition of Christian beliefs and traditions and practice. A concern for unity is necessarily bound to bring together peoples from all corners of the planet on the foundation of equality and a sharing and preservation of the riches of the world. (Image in Brussels, Joachim Pecci as ambassador of Vatican in Belgium before he became Pope Leo XIII).
