Since the announcement of the name of the new Pope, Archbishop Bruno Heim (above) has been hard at work on preparing a new papal coat of arms. He has submitted seven designs for Pope lolm Paul II to choose from.
Archbishop Heim, the Apostolic Delegate to Great Britain is one of the world's experts on heraldic design.
The selected design will appear on stamps, coins, letter headings and will be embroidered onto the stole that the Pope will wear when receiving diplomats. A large version of the coat of arms will be incorporated into the tapestry which hangs over the Vatican balcony where he makes his public appearances.
To ensure that the designs reach Rome very quickly they are sent with diplomatic mail by special courier from the Apostolic Delegation in London.