Honestly, if you weren't gasping for air when Catherine O’Hara emerged from behind those Town Hall doors in the series finale of Schitt’s Creek, are you even a fan? It was peak Moira. It was religious. It was, quite literally, a papal intervention.
When people search for Moira Rose pope, they’re usually looking for one of two things: the "where do I buy this for Halloween" guide or the "what on earth was the inspiration for that" deep dive. Most folks just call it the "Pope outfit," but the cast had their own names for it. Annie Murphy (Alexis) called it the most insane thing Catherine ever wore. Noah Reid, who plays Patrick, dubbed it the "Viking Pope" look.
Whatever you call it, that ensemble wasn't just a costume. It was the crowning achievement of a show that spent six seasons proving that fashion is a language—and Moira Rose speaks in a dialect nobody else can translate.
The Story Behind the Matrimonial Assemblage
Let's look at the context because it’s kind of hilarious. David and Patrick’s wedding is falling apart. It’s raining. The venue is moved to a town hall. The officiant is a no-show because of a "scheduling conflict" (or perhaps just the sheer chaos of a Rose family event).
Moira steps in. She doesn’t just "fill in," though. She ascends.
When she finally walks down that makeshift aisle to officiate, she’s wearing a floor-length, shimmering cream-and-gold robe. But it’s the headpiece that stops your heart. It’s a mitre—the traditional hat of a Pope—but it’s merged with a halo of hair.
It wasn't just a hat; it was a feat of engineering
Ana Sorys, the show's hair genius, actually built that thing. It wasn't some store-bought prop. We’re talking about a hairpiece made out of stuffed pantyhose, with 60 inches of hair wrapped and glued around it.
- Total hair length: Roughly 60 inches (she added 20 inches to the base 40).
- The struggle: Sorys almost gave up the night before because the hair wouldn't stay on the halo.
- The "Viking" vibe: The braids and the structure gave it a Norse-meets-Vatican energy that only Moira could pull off.
Why the Moira Rose Pope Look Still Matters
In the world of TV costume design, there’s "expensive" and then there’s "iconic." Schitt’s Creek famously operated on a shoestring budget for its first few years. Dan Levy and costume designer Debra Hanson basically scavenged eBay and The RealReal to find high-fashion pieces they could actually afford.
By the time we got to the Moira Rose pope moment, the show had more resources, but the ethos remained the same: use clothes to tell the story of a woman who refuses to be diminished by her surroundings.
The choice to dress as a religious figure for her son’s wedding wasn't just about being "extra." It was Moira’s way of saying that this union—this "merging of two souls whose lives were ostensibly brought together by the faint flap of a butterfly wing"—was sacred. In her head, she wasn't just Mom; she was the High Priestess of Schitt’s Creek.
Breaking down the "Vatican Chic" aesthetic
If you look closely at the robe, it’s remarkably intricate. It features sequins, heavy embroidery, and a silhouette that mimics ecclesiastical vestments. But then she adds these gold gloves. And the signature Moira jewelry. It’s a mashup of 16th-century Catholicism and 20th-century soap opera glamour.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Costume
You’ll see a lot of people online claiming this was a direct parody of a specific Pope. It wasn't. It was more of a "mood board" of power.
Catherine O’Hara actually had a huge hand in Moira’s wardrobe. She was the one who suggested the wigs in the first place! The "Pope" look was the natural evolution of Moira wearing a wig on top of a wig or using a wig as a scarf. It was the final boss of her hair journey.
Honestly, the most impressive part isn't the hat. It’s her face. While wearing what looks like ten pounds of synthetic hair and a velvet chimney on her head, O’Hara delivers a ceremony that is actually... moving? You’re laughing at the Moira Rose pope aesthetic, but by the time she starts talking about "little baby crows carried upon a curious wind," you’re kind of crying.
How to Channel Your Inner Moira (Without Being a Literal Pope)
If you’re trying to recreate this look—maybe for a gala or just a very dramatic trip to the grocery store—don't just buy a cheap Pope hat. That’s a rookie move.
- Texture is everything. Moira never wears just one fabric. If the robe is silk, the gloves should be metallic. If the hat is structured, the hair should be textured.
- The "Halo" effect. If you’re brave enough to try the hair-halo, use a foam base. Don't try to wrap hair around a wire; it’ll slip.
- The Accent. You can't wear the outfit without the "vocabulary of a 19th-century playwright who just discovered a thesaurus."
Actionable Insights for the Rose-Obsessed
If you're looking to dive deeper into the sartorial world of the show, here's what you should actually do:
- Watch the Documentary: Check out Best Wishes, Warmest Regards on streaming. It shows the behind-the-scenes fitting for the wedding and the genuine reaction of the cast when they saw the finished Pope ensemble.
- Study Debra Hanson's Work: She is the architect of this look. Look up her interviews where she discusses "the language of clothes" in the show.
- Analyze the Script: Notice how the costume changes the way the other characters interact with Moira in that final scene. Even David, who is usually her harshest critic, just accepts it. That's the power of the Moira Rose pope—it was so bold, nobody could even argue with it.
The finale was a "Happy Ending" because it allowed every character to be their most authentic self. For Johnny, that meant being a successful businessman again. For Alexis, it was independence. For David, it was love. And for Moira? It was becoming a literal icon.
Next time you're feeling a bit "diminished" by life, just remember: you're only one 60-inch hair-halo away from being the Pope of your own world.
Key Takeaways for Future Cosplay or Analysis:
- The outfit was designed to be a blend of "Lady Godiva" and the Pope.
- The headpiece is technically a "mitre" reimagined through the lens of a former soap star.
- The scene was filmed in the actual Uxbridge, Ontario, town hall, adding a layer of "small-town reality" to the absurd costume.
- Catherine O'Hara's performance ensures the costume never overshadows the emotional weight of the wedding.
To truly understand the impact of the Moira Rose pope moment, you have to look at it as the final exclamation point on a six-season sentence about the importance of being exactly who you are, no matter how many wigs it requires.