This is roughly how the Pope's recent decision to allow the English Dominican priest and future Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe to dispense with the cardinal's robe can be described.
In an interview with the English radio station "BBC" broadcast on Sunday, the Englishman said that he had asked the pontiff whether he could be released from the "elaborate cardinal's robe".
According to Radcliffe, the Pope told him the same day that he "fully understood" his situation and would "exempt him from wearing the elaborate robes".
Cardinals are the highest-ranking dignitaries in the Catholic Church and support the Pope in leading the universal church and the Roman Curia.
Their official dress includes the purple cardinal's coat, the colour of which is intended to symbolise loyalty to the Pope.
Recently, Pope Francis surprisingly announced the admission of 21 churchmen to the College of Cardinals.
The so-called consistory, the tenth in the Pope's eleven-year term of office, will take place on 7 December.
Radcliffe is one of the new cardinals and is spiritual assistant to the Synod on Synodality currently meeting in the Vatican.