Papal Coats of Arms

Walking Tours of Rome

Coat of arms of Pope Clement XII (r. 1730-40).

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Many of the buildings, monuments, fountains and palazzi in the centro storico are emblazoned with the coats of arms of some of the many popes who ruled Rome until 1871 when the Eternal City finally became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy.

A papal coat of arms is easily identifiable, as the escutcheon of the pope's family will be surmounted by the papal tiara and the two keys of St. Peter. A man who did not have a family coat of arms would assume one upon becoming a bishop. 

Many popes were great patrons of art and, as a consequence, their coats of arms proliferated throughout the city. A good example of this is Pope Urban VIII (r. 1623-44), who belonged to the Barberini family. The family's coat of arms is made up of three bees, which can be seen buzzing about all over Rome. 

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Coat of arms of Pope Clement XII (r. 1730-40).

Coat of arms of Pope Clement Xll (r. 1730-40).

Coat of arms of Pope Urban VIII (r. 1623-44).

Coat of arms of Pope Pius VI (r. 1775-99).

Coat of arms of Pope Paul V (r. 1605-21).

Coat of arms of Pope Gregory XIII (r. 1572-85).