Pope John Paul II
1920 - 2005

The coat of arms of Pope John Paul II was designed by Archbishop Bruno Heim.  All papal arms include the tiara and the crossed keys, which mark the pope's legal and spiritual authority over the Church.  Pope John Paul II kept the design, which he used as cardinal archbishop of Cracow.  The off-center golden cross is symbolic of Christ's cross and the "M" is placed near it not only to honor Mary, but to show how she faithfully stood at the foot of the cross on Calvary.