Inside Pope Leo's Pectoral Cross: the Bones of Saint Augustine, Saint Monica and others!

Pope Leo XIV is an Augustinian friar. He is the first pope from the Order of Saint Augustine. This is why he introduced himself as “a son of Saint Augustine”. We know that Saint Augustine is close to his heart. But few realized that Saint Augustine was literally only inches away that day he lovingly touched his pectoral cross as he waved to the crowds for the first time. He seemed to channel the courage of Augustine as he fought to control his emotions. 

When he came out onto the loggia for the first time he was wearing a unique, golden pectoral cross which was also a reliquary containing the bones of Saint Augustine, Augustine’s mother Saint Monica and three other Augustinian Saints. A pectoral cross (from the Latin “pectoralis” which means “of the chest”) is worn on a long chain or rope around the neck so that it rests on the chest, and is worn especially by bishops, cardinals and popes.

Pope Innocent III (1161-1216) is said to be the first pope to wear a pectoral cross.  The post-Reformation reformer, Pope St. Pius V (1504-1572) made the wearing of one mandatory for bishops. There have been pectoral crosses in the past that contained the fragments of the true cross (of Jesus). Most pectoral crosses feature an optional image of the crucifixion. Pope Francis opted for a picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The one Pope Leo wore was flat and gold with no images but it is a relic container (a reliquary). 

The theology of relics is embedded in scripture. Whether it is Elija’s bones, Paul’s face cloth or Peter’s shadow, they all had a healing effect when combined with faith. With the Incarnation, “The Word became flesh”(Jn:1). Jesus entered time and space and became a human being and had a physical body. Therefore time, space and matter can be holy or divine. This is why the bodies of the saints and martyrs were revered from the beginning of the Church (think catacombs).

Relics have always been a part of our Catholic Faith. A relic is a physical object associated with a saint, Jesus Christ, or a holy event. These can include parts of a saint's body (like bones or hair), objects they owned or used, or objects that touched a saint's body or belongings.They're are not magical, they're not worshiped or adored, they do not provide grace on their own and they're not good luck charms. But they are powerful to the believer.

Relics connect us to holiness. Their meaning is not limited to historical significance or sentimentality. They are valuable in the order of grace as actual, efficacious channels of God’s life and help through the intercession of the Saint. The Saint is in heaven and their body will be too at the resurrection of the dead. It is just a matter of time before their relics (1st degree) are part of heaven. So in the imagination of Catholics, relics are already, mysteriously a piece of the New Heaven and New Earth (Rev 21). 

Inside Pope Leo’s cross/reliquary, the fragment of a bone from the remains of Saint Augustine is situated in the middle of the cross at the intersection. Saint Monicas’ relic is to the right and the other three are above, below and to the left. The other three are not as well known….Here’s their story (taken from Vatican news)...

Thomas of Villanova

Saint Thomas of Villanova, who served as Archbishop of Valencia in the 15th and 16th centuries, was a major reformer of religious life and a true shepherd, one who “smelled of his sheep,” to borrow a phrase used often by Pope Francis. He was known for his tireless care for the poor and his support of missions in the New World. A brilliant theologian, he also founded a seminary in Valencia in 1550, which still exists today, even before the Council of Trent’s reforms on priestly formation.

Anselmo Polanco

Blessed Anselmo Polanco, Bishop of Teruel, was martyred during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). He remained steadfast in his duty to his people until the end, once declaring, “As long as even one of my flock remains, I will stay.” Loyal both to the Pope and to his people, he was killed for his unshakable faith and Gospel witness.

Bartolomeo Menochio

Venerable Giuseppe Bartolomeo Menochio, Bishop of Porphyry and Prefect of the Apostolic Sacristy, served as Pontifical Sacristan from 1800. During the Napoleonic era, he stood firm in his loyalty to the Pope and endured great hardship for it. A central figure in the life of the Church in Rome, he died “in the odour of sanctity” on 25 March 1823. Pope John Paul II recognised his heroic virtues in 1991. Menochio is remembered as a devoted bishop and the only one who refused to swear allegiance to Napoleon, choosing instead to dedicate his life fully to the service of the Roman people.