Pope Leo: The Symbolism of Red in the New Pontiff’s Attire – What It Reveals About His Politics

The choice made by the successor of Pope Francis certainly came as a surprise, as the new pontiff differentiated himself from his predecessor in terms of attire. This is because Pope Leo, during his first appearance after the white smoke and the conclave vote, chose to bring back the mozzetta (in red color). Pope Francis, upon his election, dressed very modestly with white dominating his outfit. He did not change his shoes or cross, continuing to use those he had before his election. The Pope’s white cassock symbolizes purity and dedication, accompanied by the zucchetto, a white skullcap worn exclusively by Popes, and the mozzetta, a short cape indicating authority. The stole, a long fabric strip worn over the shoulders, and the pallium, a white band of lamb’s wool with six crosses, emphasize pastoral responsibility and unity with archbishops. The mitre, a ceremonial headpiece, and the pectoral cross complete the attire. Colors in the vestments carry their own symbolism: green represents hope and is used during ordinary periods, red symbolizes the blood of martyrs and Christ’s sacrifice, white signifies purity and joy, violet indicates penance and preparation, black represents mourning, pink joy within the penitential season, and gold highlights the brilliance of major feasts. Pope Leo XIV chose to restore the red mozzetta compared to the simple white cassock chosen by Francis on his election day. A Pope’s first attire serves as a ‘statement of intent,’ revealing spiritual identity, theological priorities, and leadership style. The name ‘Leo’ that he chose is now the fourth most common name selected by popes, alongside Clemens. Only the names John, Gregory, and Benedict are more popular. The last Pope Leo was Leo XIII, born in Rome under French occupation in 1810. He served as Pope from 1878 until his death in 1903, marking the fourth-longest papacy in the history of the Catholic Church. Leo XIII is remembered as the Pope of Catholic social teaching. He wrote a famous encyclical in 1891 titled ‘Rerum Novarum’ (‘Of Revolutionary Change’), reflecting on the devastation caused by the Industrial Revolution on workers’ lives. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated after the election of the new Pope that the choice of the name ‘clearly refers to the modern social doctrine of the Church, which began with Rerum Novarum.’ Bruni further noted that the name Leo was a deliberate reference ‘to men, women, their work, and workers in the age of artificial intelligence,’ linking the technological changes of today with those of the 19th century. The first Pope Leo, who served in the fifth century, is known as ‘Great Leo’ and is remembered for persuading Attila the Hun to halt his invasion and save the Roman Empire from destruction. Naturally, the name Leo implies strength and courage.