Pope's shield will include a bishop's stole

CNS STORY: Pope drops papal crown from coat of arms, adds miter, pallium

Did you know that the Blessed Mother is often depicted as a priest in art, signified by a pallium (the white stole worn by a bishop?) Here's a sixth-century image:

marypriest
Originally uploaded by theologienne.

See more of them, many from Vatican museums, here.

And indeed, it was she whose word first allowed the body of Christ to be shared with us.