Originally published: 2007 | Rewritten and republished: June 2025 - Updated with historical context, factual corrections, and respectful perspective following Pope Benedict XVI's passing in 2022.
In the winter of 2007, Pope Benedict XVI made an unexpected fashion statement that captured global attention. During a public appearance in St. Peter's Square, the pontiff appeared wearing a crimson velvet cap trimmed with white ermine—a piece of papal regalia that hadn't been seen in decades.
The cap, known as a camauro, was a staple of papal winter attire during the medieval and Renaissance periods. While Pope John XXIII briefly revived it during the 1960s, Benedict XVI's decision to wear this traditional headpiece marked a notable return to historical papal vestments after years of more simplified attire.
A Return to Tradition
Benedict XVI's choice to wear the camauro reflected his broader approach to papal vestments during his papacy from 2005 to 2013. The German-born pope, who resigned in 2013 and passed away in 2022, consistently favored traditional liturgical clothing that connected the modern papacy to its historical roots.
This appearance wasn't the first time Benedict's wardrobe choices drew media attention. His scarlet papal shoes, crafted by traditional Roman shoemaker Adriano Stefanelli, became a subject of international fascination. Despite widespread reports attributing them to luxury fashion house Prada, the shoes were handmade by the longtime papal cobbler using traditional methods and materials.
Similarly, his winter appearances in ermine-trimmed red capes—another piece of traditional papal regalia—reinforced his commitment to the ceremonial aspects of the papal office.
Fashion Meets Faith
The secular fashion world took notice of Benedict's distinctive style choices. In 2007, Esquire magazine named him "Accessorizer of the Year," noting his consistent use of signature elements in his papal attire. The magazine's advice to readers was simple:
Have a signature. It could be a pocket square, a chunky watch, or a tie clip, but make it your own (and remember that the whole red-shoes thing is already taken).
Have a signature. It could be a pocket square, a chunky watch, or a tie clip, but make it your own (and remember that the whole red-shoes thing is already taken).
Esquire Magazine August 20th, 2007
While some observers viewed these choices through a pure fashion lens, liturgical experts emphasized that papal vestments carry deep symbolic meaning within the Catholic tradition. The colors, materials, and styles aren't arbitrary fashion choices but rather elements that connect the papacy to centuries of Church history and theological significance.
Legacy of Papal Style
Benedict XVI's approach to papal attire represented a deliberate embrace of tradition during a time when many institutions were moving toward modernization. His successor, Pope Francis, has taken a notably different approach, often choosing simpler vestments that reflect his emphasis on humility and service to the poor.
Looking back, Benedict's fashion moments serve as a reminder of how even the most traditional institutions can capture contemporary attention through their visual choices. Whether intended as statements of faith, tradition, or simply practical winter wear, his vestment selections demonstrated how clothing can communicate values and identity across cultural boundaries.
The camauro, red shoes, and ermine-trimmed capes may have made headlines. Still, they ultimately represented something more profound: a pope's commitment to honoring the visual traditions of his ancient office while leading a modern global church.
Fabio Pozzebom/ABr [CC BY 3.0 br] via Wikimedia Commons
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