Vatican Proverbs (50)

Habemus Papam!

“We have a Pope!”

The traditional Latin announcement made from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to declare that a new pope has been elected.

Urbi et Orbi.

“To the City and to the World.”

The formal blessing given by the Pope on the most solemn occasions, addressed to the city of Rome and to the whole world.

Sic transit gloria mundi.

“Thus passes the glory of the world.”

Historically recited during papal coronation ceremonies while a strip of flax was burned before the newly elected pope, reminding him that earthly glory is fleeting.

Tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram aedificabo Ecclesiam meam.

“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.”

Words of Jesus to the apostle Peter, inscribed in giant letters around the base of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, foundational to the Catholic understanding of the papacy.

Ad multos annos.

“For many years.”

A traditional Latin liturgical greeting wishing someone, especially a pope or bishop, many more years of life and service.

Pax vobis.

“Peace be with you.”

The greeting of the risen Christ to his disciples, adopted as a recurring greeting throughout the Catholic Mass, including papal liturgies at the Vatican.

Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam.

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give the glory.”

A psalm verse used in Catholic liturgy to redirect all credit for good outcomes away from human pride and toward God.

Sapientia aedificavit sibi domum.

“Wisdom has built herself a house.”

The opening line of a passage on wisdom from the Book of Proverbs, part of the Vulgate Latin Bible central to Vatican liturgical and scriptural tradition.

Lex orandi, lex credendi.

“The law of prayer is the law of belief.”

A foundational principle of Catholic theology holding that the way the Church prays shapes and reveals what it believes.

Salus animarum suprema lex.

“The salvation of souls must be the supreme law.”

A guiding maxim of Catholic canon law holding that every rule and structure of the Church exists ultimately to serve the spiritual good of the faithful.

Ante omnia autem mutuam in vosmetipsos caritatem continuam habentes, quia caritas operit multitudinem peccatorum.

“Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves, for charity shall cover a multitude of sins.”

Peter urges the early Christian community to place selfless love above all else, because genuine love forgives and heals many faults.

Omnem sollicitudinem vestram proicientes in eum, quoniam ipsi cura est de vobis.

“Casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you.”

An exhortation to surrender one's worries and burdens to God rather than carrying them alone.

Tu es Christus, Filius Dei vivi.

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Peter's confession of faith at Caesarea Philippi, recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, a pivotal moment in the Gospels.

Argentum et aurum non est mihi; quod autem habeo, hoc tibi do: in nomine Iesu Christi Nazareni surge, et ambula.

“Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

Peter's words while healing a lame beggar, illustrating that spiritual gifts and faith matter more than material wealth.

Agnosce, o Christiane, dignitatem tuam et, divinae consors effectus naturae, noli in veterem vilitatem degeneri conversatione redire.

“Christian, remember your dignity, and now that you share in God's own nature, do not return to your former baseness by a life unworthy of that dignity.”

Leo reminds Christians that their new spiritual dignity should shape how they live, not be abandoned for old, lesser habits.

“The lowliness of manhood and the majesty of Godhead met together in one Person.”

A central line from Leo's Tome to Flavian describing the union of Christ's human and divine natures, which shaped the Council of Chalcedon's definition of the Incarnation.

Servus servorum Dei.

“Servant of the servants of God.”

The title Gregory adopted for the papal office to emphasize humility in leadership; it remains part of the official style used by popes to this day.

Non Angli, sed angeli.

“Not Angles, but angels.”

Gregory's remark upon seeing fair-haired English boys in a Roman market, which tradition credits with inspiring his mission to convert England to Christianity.

“See everything, overlook a great deal, correct a little.”

A maxim describing John XXIII's pastoral leadership style, favoring patience and gentle correction over strict severity.

“I often wake up at night and start to think about a serious problem, and decide to tell the Pope about it. Then I wake up completely and remember that I am the Pope.”

A self-deprecating anecdote John XXIII often told about learning to release his anxieties by trusting the office he held to God's care.

“We must never depart from the sacred patrimony of truth received from the Fathers. But at the same time we must look to the present, to the new conditions and new forms of life introduced into the modern world.”

From his address opening the Second Vatican Council, balancing fidelity to Church tradition with openness to engaging the modern world.

“Be not afraid! Open wide the doors for Christ.”

The rallying words from the homily at the inauguration of his pontificate in St. Peter's Square, which became one of the defining themes of his papacy.

“A person's rightful due is to be treated as an object of love, not as an object of use.”

A core principle from his early philosophical writing on the ethics of human relationships, insisting that people must never be reduced to mere means to another's ends.

“The first and fundamental structure for human ecology is the family.”

From his 1991 social encyclical, arguing that a healthy society begins with strong, stable family life.

“The Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus' message.”

The opening line of his 1995 encyclical on the dignity and sanctity of human life, which became a foundation of Catholic pro-life teaching.

Ite, missa est.

“Go, the Mass is ended.”

The traditional Latin dismissal spoken at the close of every Catholic Mass, sending the faithful out to live what they have celebrated.

Dominus vobiscum.

“The Lord be with you.”

A traditional Latin greeting exchanged repeatedly between priest and congregation throughout the Catholic Mass and other liturgical rites.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

“Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.”

A litany sung or recited before Communion at Mass, addressing Christ as the sacrificial Lamb who takes away sin.

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.

“Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts.”

The acclamation sung at the heart of the Eucharistic Prayer, echoing the vision of the prophet Isaiah and the Book of Revelation.

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.”

The opening words of the most widely recited Catholic prayer to the Virgin Mary, drawn from the angel Gabriel's greeting at the Annunciation.

Pater noster, qui es in caelis.

“Our Father, who art in heaven.”

The opening words of the Lord's Prayer, taught by Jesus to his disciples and recited daily in Catholic worship worldwide.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

“Glory to God in the highest.”

The opening line of the great hymn of praise sung at Mass, echoing the song of the angels announcing the birth of Christ.

Credo in unum Deum.

“I believe in one God.”

The opening declaration of the Nicene Creed, the profession of faith recited by the faithful during Sunday Mass.

Confiteor Deo omnipotenti.

“I confess to almighty God.”

The opening words of the traditional penitential prayer at the start of Mass, in which the faithful acknowledge their sins before God and one another.

Miserere mei, Deus.

“Have mercy on me, O God.”

The opening of the great penitential psalm, famously set to music by Gregorio Allegri for exclusive performance by the Sistine Chapel choir during Holy Week.

De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine.

“Out of the depths I have cried to you, O Lord.”

The opening of a penitential psalm traditionally recited for the faithful departed, expressing a cry for mercy from deep distress.

Veni, Creator Spiritus.

“Come, Creator Spirit.”

A traditional hymn invoking the Holy Spirit, sung by the cardinals as they enter the Sistine Chapel to open a papal conclave.

Te Deum laudamus.

“We praise you, O God.”

A traditional Latin hymn of thanksgiving sung at the conclusion of papal conclaves and on other solemn occasions of Vatican celebration.

Magnificat anima mea Dominum.

“My soul magnifies the Lord.”

The opening of Mary's canticle of praise, sung daily at Vespers in the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours.

Salve Regina, Mater misericordiae.

“Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy.”

A traditional Marian antiphon sung at the close of the day in the Liturgy of the Hours, entrusting the faithful to Mary's intercession.

Roma locuta, causa finita est.

“Rome has spoken, the matter is settled.”

A traditional Latin maxim describing the doctrinal authority of Rome and the papacy in settling theological disputes for the universal Church.

Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus.

“Outside the Church there is no salvation.”

A traditional Catholic doctrinal formula on the necessity of the Church for salvation, whose interpretation has developed significantly across Church history.

“Who am I to judge?”

Pope Francis's widely reported remark on a journalist's question about gay priests, seen as emblematic of his pastoral emphasis on mercy over condemnation.

“The name of God is Mercy.”

The title of his book-length interview, summarizing the central theme of his papacy: that God's defining attribute toward humanity is mercy.

“We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures, we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son.”

From his inaugural homily as pope, reframing human identity as rooted in God's love rather than in personal shortcomings.

“If you want peace, work for justice.”

The guiding theme of his message establishing the annual World Day of Peace, linking lasting peace to the pursuit of justice among nations.

“Nothing is lost by peace; everything may be lost by war.”

A plea for peace broadcast on the eve of the Second World War, warning European leaders of the catastrophic cost of armed conflict.

“It is neither just nor human so to grind men down with excessive labor as to stupefy their minds and wear out their bodies.”

From the foundational encyclical of modern Catholic social teaching, arguing that just labor conditions must respect the dignity of the human worker.

“God is Father; even more God is Mother.”

A remark from one of his general audiences reflecting his simple, warm style of describing God's tender care for humanity.

In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas.

“In essentials, unity; in doubtful matters, liberty; in all things, charity.”

A maxim John XXIII quoted in his first encyclical to describe the balance the Church should strike between core doctrine and pastoral flexibility.