Ever looked at the Pope and wondered why his wardrobe looks like it’s stuck in a medieval time loop? It’s not just for the aesthetic. When we talk about the hat of the pope, we aren’t actually talking about one single hat. It’s a whole collection of headgear, each with its own weirdly specific rules, centuries of baggage, and names that sound like something out of a Latin textbook. Honestly, the layers of meaning behind what a Pope puts on his head are enough to make a fashion historian’s head spin.
People see the big, tall pointy one and assume that’s it. But there’s the little skullcap. There’s the wide-brimmed outdoor hat. There’s even a fur-trimmed winter cap that makes the Pope look a bit like Santa’s sophisticated cousin.
The Mitre: That Tall Pointy Thing Everyone Recognizes
The most famous hat of the pope is definitely the mitre. You’ve seen it. It’s the tall, folding cap that has two distinct peaks and two fringed ribbons—called lappets—hanging down the back. These lappets aren't just there to look cool; they represent the Old and New Testaments.
Basically, the mitre is the "work hat." A Pope wears it during liturgical ceremonies, like Mass or when he’s giving a formal blessing. But here is the thing: he doesn't just keep it on the whole time. If you watch a Papal Mass, there is a whole choreography of taking the mitre off and putting it back on. He takes it off when he’s praying to God, because, in the Catholic tradition, you don’t cover your head when you’re talking to the Big Boss. Then he puts it back on when he’s addressing the people. It’s a constant back-and-forth.
There are different types of mitres, too.
The mitra pretiosa (precious mitre) is the one decked out in gold and jewels. Then you have the mitra auriphrygiata (gold-embroidered), which is a bit more toned down but still fancy. Finally, there’s the mitra simplex (simple mitre), which is plain white linen or silk. Popes usually wear the simple one for funerals or during Lent when things are supposed to be somber.
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The Zucchetto: The Tiny White Cap
Underneath the mitre, there’s another hat of the pope that stays on almost all the time. It’s called the zucchetto. It’s a small, silk hemispherical skullcap. If you think it looks like a Jewish kippah or yarmulke, you’re right—they share a common ancestry in ancient Near Eastern headcoverings.
The color is the key here. Everyone in the higher-up Catholic hierarchy wears one, but only the Pope gets to wear white. Cardinals wear red, and bishops wear purple.
Why do they wear it? Originally, it was practical. Medieval monks had a tonsure—that circular bald spot shaved into the top of their heads. Churches were cold. Stone cathedrals are basically giant refrigerators. The zucchetto was literally just a way to keep their heads warm. Nowadays, it’s purely symbolic. It’s so much a part of the Pope’s identity that there is a tradition where people in St. Peter’s Square try to trade a new white zucchetto for the one the Pope is currently wearing. Sometimes, if he’s in a good mood, he’ll actually do the swap.
The Saturno: The Hat That Looks Like a Planet
If you see the Pope outside, he might be wearing the Cappello Romano, also known as the Saturno. It’s got a wide, circular brim and a rounded top. It looks exactly like the planet Saturn with its rings, hence the nickname.
Unlike the mitre, this isn’t a "holy" hat. It’s just a sun hat. It protects the Pope’s face from the Italian sun. Pope Benedict XVI was a big fan of the Saturno, often wearing a bright red one that really popped against his white cassock. Pope Francis, on the other hand, rarely uses it. He’s more of a "get in the Jeep and wave" kind of guy.
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Whatever Happened to the Tiara?
We can’t talk about the hat of the pope without mentioning the one that’s currently gathering dust in a museum: the Papal Tiara. This thing was a beast. It’s a triple-layered crown, usually made of silver and gold, encrusted with hundreds of diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. It symbolized the Pope’s "triple power" as the father of kings, the governor of the world, and the Vicar of Christ.
It was heavy. It was expensive. It was extremely "monarch-vibes."
The last Pope to be crowned with it was Paul VI in 1963. After the Second Vatican Council, he basically said, "This is too much," and he famously lowered it onto the altar of St. Peter’s Basilica as a gesture of humility. He donated it to the poor, and it eventually ended up in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. No Pope since has worn one. They’ve all opted for the mitre instead. It was a huge shift from being a "prince" to being a "pastor."
The Camauro: The "Santa Hat" Controversy
Then there’s the camauro. It’s a red velvet cap trimmed with white ermine fur. It looks incredibly cozy. It’s strictly for winter and hasn't been common since the 18th century.
When Pope Benedict XVI brought it out for a general audience in 2005, the media went wild. People were calling him "Father Christmas" and accusing him of trying to bring back the era of imperial papacy. Benedict, who just liked tradition and probably had cold ears, eventually stopped wearing it. It’s a perfect example of how much weight a single hat of the pope can carry in terms of public perception.
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Practical Insights and What to Look For
If you’re ever at the Vatican or watching a broadcast, keep an eye on the headgear. It tells you exactly what kind of event you’re looking at.
- Red Saturno: The Pope is likely taking a walk or doing something informal outdoors.
- Plain White Zucchetto: The standard everyday look. If he takes it off during Mass, he’s at the most sacred part of the prayer.
- Simple White Mitre: He’s probably at a funeral or a service during a penitential season like Lent.
- Gold/Ornate Mitre: It’s a major feast day, like Easter or Christmas.
The evolution of these hats shows a church trying to balance its ancient history with a modern world that is often skeptical of flashy displays of wealth. While the jewels and the triple crowns have mostly been sidelined, the basic elements—the mitre and the zucchetto—remain as links to a history that stretches back over fifteen hundred years.
To really understand the papacy, you have to look at these garments as tools of the trade. They signify authority, but also a specific kind of service. Whether it's the warmth-giving zucchetto or the symbolic mitre, the hat of the pope remains one of the most recognizable icons in the world.
For those interested in seeing these items up close, the Vatican Museums offer a "Treasury" section where several historical mitres and the famous discarded tiaras are on display. It's a vivid way to see how the materials changed from simple cloth to heavy gold and back to more modest fabrics in the modern era. Visit during the mid-week to avoid the heaviest crowds if you want a clear view of the intricate embroidery on the 19th-century mitres.