Renewal Voice
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost assumed the office of the papacy the moment he responded “yes” to the question, “do you accept?”, following his election on 8 June 2025. He celebrated his inaugural Mass on 18 June 2025, during which he received the Pallium from Cardinal Dominique Mamberti and the Fisherman’s Ring from Cardinal Antonio Tagle – symbols of his assumption of the Petrine office. This article explores the significance of the Pallium worn by both Popes and Archbishops.
The term Pallium originates from the Latin pallium or palla, meaning a woolen cloak. It is worn by Popes, Metropolitans and Primates as a symbol of their authority and jurisdiction. The Pallium evokes the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, carrying a lamb on his shoulders. This long, narrow white band – approximately three fingers in width – is worn around the neck, draped over the chasuble. It is made from the wool of lambs raised by Trappist monks, formally known as the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO). These lambs are solemnly presented at the altar by the nuns of the Convent of Saint Agnes Outside the Walls, and their wool is woven into pallia by the Benedictine nuns of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere.
Origins of the Pallium
The origin of the Pallium is a subject of various theories. Some trace its roots to the investiture ceremonies of Emperor Constantine or his successors, while others view it as a Christian adaptation of the Jewish ephod, the priestly garment worn by Hebrew High Priests. It also bears resemblance to the mantle of St. Peter, symbolizing his role as the chief shepherd or may simply be derived from the early papal liturgical mantle.
One of the earliest references to the Pallium is found in Tertullian’s essay De Pallio (On the Pallium), written around 220 AD. According to the Liber Pontificalis, Pope Marcus (d. 336) was the first to confer the right to wear the Pallium on the Bishop of Ostia, due to his role in papal consecrations.
Evolution of the Custom
Over the centuries, the use of the Pallium has evolved. Pope John Paul II made notable exceptions to the traditional restriction of the Pallium to Popes and Metropolitans. He conferred it on Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger when he became Dean of the College of Cardinals and Cardinal Bishop of Ostia, despite not being a metropolitan. His successor, Pope Benedict XVI, continued this precedent by bestowing the Pallium on Cardinal Angelo Sodano upon his appointment as Dean. Likewise, Pope Francis conferred the Pallium on Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re on 29 June 2020 after his appointment as Dean earlier that year.
Pope Benedict XVI initially chose to wear a version of the Pallium modeled after ancient forms used by early Popes – made of wool, with black silk ends and five red crosses, three of which were pierced with pins representing Christ’s wounds and nails. It was draped across the left shoulder. However, from 29 June 2008, he returned to a form more similar to his immediate predecessors, albeit larger, with red crosses distinguishing it from those worn by Metropolitans. During a 2009 visit to the earthquake-stricken town of L’Aquila, he left his Pallium on the glass casket of Pope Celestine V – the last Pope to resign before Benedict himself. Pope Francis initially used the version of the Pallium worn by Benedict XVI, but on 29 June 2014, he reverted to the style used by Popes prior to Benedict.
Use by Metropolitans
The custom of Metropolitans wearing the Pallium dates back to the time of St. Boniface, who convened a synod making it obligatory for Western Metropolitans to receive the Pallium from the Pope in Rome. This involved a pilgrimage to Rome, submission of a petition and a solemn profession of faith. Consecrations could not proceed before the Pallium was received. Under Pope Paschal II (1099–1118), the profession of faith was simplified and a formal expression of obedience to the Pope was introduced.
In the Middle Ages, it became customary to offer a tribute to the Pope upon receiving the Pallium, a practice condemned by the Council of Basel in 1432.
Traditionally, the Pallium was conferred on 29 June, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, in Rome. However, in January 2015, Pope Francis modified this practice: while the Pallia would still be blessed on that feast day, they would be conferred in the Archbishops’ own dioceses by the Apostolic Nuncio. Yet in June 2025, Pope Leo XIV announced a return to the ancient tradition of personally conferring the Pallia at St. Peter’s Basilica on 29 June.
A Metropolitan Archbishop may wear his Pallium as a symbol of jurisdiction not only in his own archdiocese but also throughout his ecclesiastical province when celebrating Mass.
According to Canon Law, “Within three months from the reception of episcopal consecration or if he has already been consecrated, from the canonical provision, a metropolitan is obliged to request the pallium from the Roman Pontiff either personally or through a proxy. The pallium signifies the power which the metropolitan, in communion with the Roman Church, has by law in his own province. A metropolitan can use the pallium according to the norm of liturgical laws within any church of the ecclesiastical province over which he presides, but not outside it, even if the diocesan bishop gives his assent. A metropolitan needs a new pallium if he is transferred to another metropolitan see. (Can. 437 §1,2,3).
For the Pope, the Pallium signifies Plenitudo Pontificalis Officii – the plenitude of the pontifical office. For Archbishops, it symbolizes their participation in the Pope’s supreme pastoral authority. A new Pallium must be obtained when an Archbishop is transferred to a different diocese, and it may no longer be worn after resignation. In contrast, bishops in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches wear the Omophorion, a similar garment that likewise symbolizes their spiritual and ecclesiastical authority
