In a notable departure from historical practices, Pope Leo XIV conducted his inaugural Mass on May 18, 2025, without the traditional papal tiara that had adorned predecessors' heads until just sixty years ago. This elaborate gold and jewel-encrusted crown was once a symbol of the pontiff's authority, prominently featured during the coronation ceremonies from as early as the 12th century until its last use by Pope Paul VI in 1964.
The 1937 book “A Reporter at the Papal Court” describes the dazzling ceremony of Pope Pius XI's inauguration in 1922, highlighting the grandeur that accompanied papal coronations. The event was marked by the crowning of the pope, an act described in glowing terms by then-United Press bureau head, Thomas B. Morgan. However, the ceremony's focus has shifted, with Pope John Paul II explicitly stating at his inauguration in 1978 that the tiara is “considered, wrongly, to be a symbol of the temporal power of the Popes.” This marked a pivotal moment in redefining the papal image, valuing spiritual leadership over temporal authority.
The last tiara used is now housed in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Pope John XXIII’s 1958 coronation also reflected the deep-rooted traditions of the Church, featuring crowds that filled St. Peter’s Square, reaffirming the pope’s role as "the vicar of Christ on earth."
Under Pope Paul VI’s reformative vision, the inauguration ceremony was moved outdoors and positioned as an interactive experience with the faithful, signifying a desire to modernize the Church’s presence in the world. This new approach, confirmed by the presence of the sediari—who have remained influential in Vatican traditions—reinforces the evolving identities within the papacy.
Elisabetta Povoledo continues to provide unique insights into the Vatican from her base in Rome, focusing on rich cultural narratives and historical transformations shaping the Catholic Church today.
The 1937 book “A Reporter at the Papal Court” describes the dazzling ceremony of Pope Pius XI's inauguration in 1922, highlighting the grandeur that accompanied papal coronations. The event was marked by the crowning of the pope, an act described in glowing terms by then-United Press bureau head, Thomas B. Morgan. However, the ceremony's focus has shifted, with Pope John Paul II explicitly stating at his inauguration in 1978 that the tiara is “considered, wrongly, to be a symbol of the temporal power of the Popes.” This marked a pivotal moment in redefining the papal image, valuing spiritual leadership over temporal authority.
The last tiara used is now housed in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Pope John XXIII’s 1958 coronation also reflected the deep-rooted traditions of the Church, featuring crowds that filled St. Peter’s Square, reaffirming the pope’s role as "the vicar of Christ on earth."
Under Pope Paul VI’s reformative vision, the inauguration ceremony was moved outdoors and positioned as an interactive experience with the faithful, signifying a desire to modernize the Church’s presence in the world. This new approach, confirmed by the presence of the sediari—who have remained influential in Vatican traditions—reinforces the evolving identities within the papacy.
Elisabetta Povoledo continues to provide unique insights into the Vatican from her base in Rome, focusing on rich cultural narratives and historical transformations shaping the Catholic Church today.
