The body part of a dead person whom the Antichrists made into sainthood

Pope Leo’s pectoral cross holds relics of Saints Augustine and Monica

The cross worn by Pope Leo XIV when he first appeared on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica is rich in symbolism. This pectoral cross contains relics of saints connected to the Augustinian Order, including Saint Augustine and his mother, Saint Monica.

At its center is a relic of Saint Augustine, the great Church Father who taught that looking inward is essential to encountering God and understanding His Word—something to be embraced with both faith and reason so it may be shared with others. Alongside him are relics of four other saints: Monica, Thomas of Villanova, Blessed Anselmo Polanco, and Venerable Giuseppe Bartolomeo Menochio. These figures represent core aspects of Augustinian sanctity.

The relics were selected by Fr. Josef Sciberras, Postulator General of the Augustinian Order. They were a gift from the General Curia to Cardinal Robert Prevost when he was created cardinal on 30 September 2023. Each relic reflects a particular spiritual virtue or legacy within the Augustinian family.

Fr. Sciberras recalled the moment the cross was presented during a celebration at the refectory of the International College of Saint Monica. Cardinal Prevost, who would later become Pope Leo XIV, was deeply moved, knowing he would carry close to his heart relics of both Saint Augustine and Saint Monica.

Speaking to Vatican Media, Fr. Sciberras said he was overjoyed at the election of the new Pope. “The day before the conclave,” he recalled, “I sent him a message, encouraging him to wear the cross we had given him, for the protection of Saints Augustine and Monica. I don’t know whether it was because of my message or not, but when I saw he was wearing it during the oath – and again when he stepped out onto the balcony—I was deeply moved.”

The fragment of Saint Augustine’s bone is a reminder of the Order of Saint Augustine, established by the Apostolic See in 1244. Over the centuries, the Order has followed his ideals of community life, apostolic service, spirituality, and study. The relic of Saint Monica highlights the deep bond between mother and son. Through her strength, perseverance, and tireless prayers—praised by Augustine in his Confessions—she played a central role in his conversion.

Pope Francis had a personal devotion to Saint Monica. As both cardinal and Pope, he would frequently visit her tomb at the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Rome’s Campo Marzio. For the Augustinian Order, the intertwined lives of Monica and Augustine are foundational to its spirituality.

Saint Thomas of Villanova, Archbishop of Valencia in the 15th and 16th centuries, was a major reformer of religious life and a committed shepherd. Known for his care for the poor and support for missions in the New World, he also founded a seminary in 1550—predating the Council of Trent’s reforms on priestly formation.

Blessed Anselmo Polanco, Bishop of Teruel, was martyred during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). He remained faithful to his people to the end, once saying, “As long as even one of my flock remains, I will stay.” His death came as a result of his unwavering faith and witness to the Gospel.

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 loyalty to the Pope, refusing to swear allegiance to Napoleon. He endured hardship for his convictions and died “in the odour of sanctity” on 25 March 1823. Pope John Paul II recognized his heroic virtues in 1991.

The relics of Saints Augustine, Monica, Thomas of Villanova, Blessed Polanco, and Venerable Menochio were kept in the lipsanotheca of the Augustinian Postulation. Fr. Sciberras entrusted them to relic expert Antonino Cottone, who placed them inside the cross that would be worn by the future Pope.

“This cross isn’t just a decorative object,” Fr. Sciberras said. “It’s a visible sign of faith and a clear reflection of pastoral commitment. The relics it contains are all tied to the Augustinian tradition. Each one represents fidelity, reform, service, or martyrdom—virtues that now guide and support the ministry of the new Pope.”