When the pope attends a general audience in St. Peter’s Square or meets a head of state in the papal apartment, his choice of outfit is dictated by a precise protocol.Two extensive articles in the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, explain the papal dress code.
The papal closet contains a white cassock; a white zucchetto or skullcap; a white sash; a short white surplice-like garment worn over the cassock; an elbow-length red cape; a red velvet cape trimmed with ermine fur; a white damask cape with or without the white fur trim; a selection of red stoles with gold embroidery; white stoles with gold embroidery; red shoes; and a pair of white loafers.
The items are worn in particular combinations for specific occasions.
The basic outfit is the white cassock, white sash with gold fringe and the white zucchetto.
This is what the pope wears for almost all public events.
When the pope holds an official audience with a head of state or ambassador at the Vatican, extra garments are added on top of the basic papal attire.
If the visiting head of state is Catholic, then a stole is added to the mix.Pope Benedict always wears red shoes in public, even when protocol dictates otherwise.
Whether red or white accessories are worn depends on the time of year.
Pope Benedict has reintroduced to the papal wardrobe a wide-brimmed red straw hat that Pope John XXIII often wore and a red velvet cap trimmed with ermine.
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