Leo XIV: A Tough Nut for Autograph Collectors
The election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the successor to Pope Francis in 2025 may have surprised some theologically interested observers, but it caused astonishment and a certain despair among autograph collectors. Rarely has a new pope left so few traces in the collector's world as Leo XIV. Due to his reticence, his modest career, and unusually varying signatures, he poses an extraordinary challenge. For many autograph collectors, the name Prevost has long since taken on the meaning of a "tough nut."
Before His Cardinal Appointment: A Phantom from Peru
Before Robert F. Prevost was appointed cardinal by Pope Francis on September 30, 2023, he was an almost unknown figure – both in church circles and in the collector's world. He served as bishop of a small and not very prominent diocese in Peru, where he was active for only a few years and did not stand out through any notable public appearances or writings. Practically no handwritten documents from his time as diocesan bishop have found their way into collections.
This is partly due to the fact that the region where Prevost worked is relatively difficult to access for collectors. Peru, with its geographical remoteness and often limited infrastructure, is generally not a hotspot for international autograph collectors. Moreover, Prevost was apparently very reserved towards requests that went beyond his pastoral duties during his time as bishop. For autograph collectors, he was an almost "impossible case."
The Cardinal Appointment: First Glimmers of Hope for Collectors
With his appointment as cardinal in 2023, attention changed at least in some respects. Like many collectors in the scene, a fellow collector took the opportunity to meet Prevost personally in Rome around the consistory. But even there, he remained a stubborn case: Before the consistory, he emphatically told me that he "principally does not give autographs." He consistently adhered to this clear stance, as he simply did not sign on the street.
It was only later that he had the luck to obtain two signatures. These are two signed cards that he was able to collect on site at that time. He later gave one of these cards to another collector. Both copies are now coveted rarities in the scene. Additionally, he was able to acquire a signed photo from a fellow collector, which Prevost had signed on another occasion.
It is remarkable that while Prevost occasionally gave in as a cardinal and signed on the street from time to time, this happened so rarely and irregularly that one can speak of a real rarity.
The Challenge of His Signatures: Strong Variations
One of the biggest problems in collecting autographs of the later pope is the enormous variability of his signatures. Already as a cardinal, Prevost signed quite differently depending on the circumstances. The differences are not only a matter of writing speed or mood, but they also raise questions about authenticity.
Collector Martin Wolters was lucky enough to receive the following signature by mail:
For collectors, this is a double-edged sword: On the one hand, such variations increase the desirability of the existing copies, as they represent different facets of his signature. On the other hand, it makes it considerably more difficult to verify the authenticity of later offered autographs. Forgeries are made easier by the inconsistent signature – a problem that is already emerging.
The Card (2023): This signature was personally made by Prevost during his first stay in Rome as a cardinal. The handwriting is comparatively orderly, but it already shows a tendency towards uneven letters.
Last week, two signed photos of Prevost appeared on eBay, offered by a seller who had not previously sold any church autographs. These signatures were quickly classified as highly dubious by experienced collectors. The flow of the letters and the overall structure did not match the already known templates.
Difference between "Leo," "Leonem," and "Leone" in Papal Naming:
Leo is the official form of the name in Latin. This means that when the pope is officially called "Leo XIV," it is in the nominative (basic form). Leonem is the accusative form of "Leo" in Latin. This form is used when the name is in a specific grammatical function, e.g., after "Habemus Papam." ("Habemus Papam Leonem XIV." – "We have a pope, Leo XIV.") Leone, on the other hand, is Italian and represents the Italian version of the name.
(Official Signature as Pope Leo XIV)
The Distinction in the Papal Signature:
The papal signature is often written in a mixture of form and language that fulfills certain traditions and purposes. However, it is common for the pope's signature to be written in an Italianized form, as Italian is the predominant colloquial language in the Vatican and its surroundings.
So, if "Leone" appears in the signature, it is most likely the Italian spelling of the name. Even though Latin is the official language of the church, the signature is often written in a form that also reflects the Italian context – especially since the Vatican is geographically located in Italy.
Why "Leo" Does Not Appear in the Signature:
This is related to papal tradition and the fact that the signature contains some elements in the vernacular. Historically, there has been no fixed rule that the pope must exclusively use the Latin form of the name in every respect. Instead, a local language variant was often preferred.
For example: In official Latin documents, "Leo XIV" will appear. In Italian or semi-formal documents, "Leone XIV" might appear. The signature stands at the intersection of these two contexts – it is traditional but also readable in Italian, as this is the working language of many employees in the Vatican.
The first opportunity signature of Pope Leo XIV was probably received by this boy shortly after the papal election:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJbe27MKrZi/?utm_source=ig_embed
Conclusion: Patience, Caution, and Expertise Required
Collecting autographs of Pope Leo XIV is one of the most exciting but also one of the most challenging tasks in the current autograph scene. The geographical remoteness of his early career in Peru, his documented reticence towards autographs, and the striking variations in his signature make it almost impossible to build a comprehensive collection.
Forgeries are likely to be a problem in the coming years, as the demand for his signatures continues to grow and collectors are often willing to pay high prices. Our advice remains: Trust only reputable sources and insist on clear proof of provenance. Although this requires patience and financial sacrifices, it is the only way to ensure that the collection remains authentic.
Leo XIV may be considered the most difficult case for autograph collectors among popes – but perhaps this very circumstance is the special secret of his fascination.