When a new pope is elected, he changes from the red cardinal’s vestments to a white cassock. This change takes place in a small ante-room, adjacent to the Sistine Chapel in the Apostolic Palace, known as the “Sala delle Lacrime,” in English “Room of Tears.” This name refers to the emotional impact of donning the papal white and personally experiencing the weight of the office of the Papacy for the first time.

Pope Leo XIV greeted the faithful from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica on May 8. The attire he chose for his first appearance differed from the one chosen by Pope Francis he wore on the night of his election in 2013: Pope Leo wore the mozetta, the stole, and the golden cross, like those traditionally worn by the pope, including most recently Pope Benedict XVI, when they first greet the world as Supreme Pontiff.

Pope Leo chose a very special pectoral cross, as recalled by Fr. Pasquale Cormino, the rector of the Basilica of St. Augustine in Campo Marzio:

“It is a cross with relics. Inside the cross are the relics of St. Augustine and St. Monica,  of St. Thomas of Villanova, an Augustinian bishop from the time of the Council of Trent, who also served as a missionary bishop in Latin America. Additionally, there are two other relics: one of a blessed and one of a venerable Augustinian. The blessed Anselmo Polanco, martyr of the Spanish Civil War in 1939, and the venerable Bartolomeo Menocchio.”

Another element of the papal attire is the white cassock that reaches down to the heels. Traditionally, the cassock has 33 buttons, each representing the years of Christ’s life. The papal sash cinches the cassock and represents the Pope’s submission to his calling to protect the Church. The white zucchetto worn on the head symbolizes his task and authority.

The pallium is a white wool band worn around the neck, adorned with six black silk crosses and is fastened with three metal nails, in remembrance of the Passion of Christ.

The papal Ferula is a pastoral staff carried during liturgical celebrations, typically with a crucifix just above the staff. Pope Leo XIV carried the Ferula of Pope Benedict XIV on May 9 during his first Mass as pontiff. He has also used the pastoral staff made most famous by Pope Saint John Paul II.

The Pope’s shoes also attract attention. Traditionally, popes wore red shoes to symbolize their readiness for martyrdom. When Pope Francis was elected, he chose not to wear them, preferring simplicity. Pope Leo XIV also chose not to wear the red shoes.

Among other items, the Fisherman’s Ring holds profound symbolic value. On the outside, it depicts St. Peter with the keys and the net, symbols of his apostolic mission. Inside, it is engraved with the name of the reigning pope, now Pope Leo XIV. This is the ring that is defaced upon the death of a pontiff, as it has been used traditionally by the Pope to seal official documents.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE 

Adapted by Jacob Stein

Produced by Paola Ariazza; Camera by Alberto Basile; Video Edited by Ilaria Chimenti and Alessio Di Cintio; Special thanks & Credits to Vatican Media