HABEMUS PAPAM

May God bless the new Pope, Leo XIV, and all the Faithful worldwide on this momentous day.

AMDG

Esteemed readers of this Blog : our Papal Retrospective has now been concluded.  There will be a break of several days from posts to allow life at the Saint Bede Studio to return to normal.

Papal Retrospective : Pope Benedict XVI (2005 - 2013)

On 19th April, 2005,  JOSEPH ALOISIUS RATZINGER, Cardinal-Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals, was elected Pope by 115 members of the College and took the name Benedict, recalling his World War One predecessor.  His election had been hoped for by many, but thought unlikely because of his advanced age.  Following the reign of a Polish Pope, the election of a German Pope closed the circle of the experience of World War Two.

Joseph Ratzinger was born in the town of Marktl am Inn, Germany on 16th April 1927.  From a staunch Catholic family, the Nazi regime drafted him into military service when he was 16, but he deserted the Army shortly before the end of the European war.  Commencing studies for the priesthood after the war, he was ordained in 1951, but continued as a scholar, teacher and writer at various German Universities.  He was a peritus at the Second Vatican Council where his views were seen as progressive.  In 1977, he was appointed archbishop of Munich and Freising and was created a Cardinal in the last Consistory of Pope Paul VI in June 1977.  After a few years, Pope John Paul II  brought the scholarly Cardinal to Rome and the two worked together in great harmony and personal friendship until the death of the Pope in 2005. 

Benedict XVI was a gracious and prudent man.  He was also a man of deep learning and the author of many books.  His was the greatest intellect of any Pope in modern history, even considering that of his immediate predecessor John Paul II.  At an advanced age and in poor health, Pope Benedict made the startling decision to Renounce the Petrine Office in February 2013 and live in retirement in a small residence in the Vatican Gardens.  Making some appearances in these years of retirement, such that he was never forgotten, he died as a much-beloved grandfather of the Church on 31st December, 2022 and is buried in the crypt of Saint Peter's Basilica. 

A useful but not exhaustive summary of his life may be found here.

Please click on the images for an enlarged view.

The adjacent photograph was taken at the Mass of the Rings
in Saint Peter's, following Joseph Ratzinger's creation as
a Cardinal-priest in 1977 by Pope Paul VI. 
At this time, Cardinal Ratzinger was Archbishop of Munich.

Good Friday 2004.  
When John Paul had become too infirm to offer Mass publicly,
he was frequently assisted by his friend,
the Dean of the College of Cardinals,
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger.

In the first two years or so of the Pontificate of Pope Benedict, a whole new range of Papal vestments was introduced by the then Prefect of Pontifical Ceremonies, Monsignor Piero Marini.  

Pope Benedicit
during a Lenten liturgy 2006

   

An unusual purple cope
worn by Pope Benedict for Vespers
Advent 2006.

This beautiful straw-gold cope and mitre
matched a set of Eucharistic vestments
previously used by John Paul II.

The photograph below depicts Pope Benedict during Vespers at the Basilica of Saint Paul's-Without-the-Walls on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.  This magnificent cope - which had matching dalmatics - was recently worn by the Cardinal-Camerlengo when the remains of the late Pope were brought solemnly into Saint Peter's Basilica.

After Monsignor Guido Marini was appointed Papal Master of Ceremonies in 2007, there was an increased use by Pope Benedict of historic chasubles, copes and mitres from the Papal Treasury. In the following two photographs, we feature two such mitres.

The first mitre was made for Pope Piux IX (1846 - 1878) to coincide with the promulgation of the Definition of the Immaculate Conception in 1854. The mitre features pictorial embroideries of the Blessed Virgin and the Christ the Good Shepherd. The mitre had subsequently been used by Pope John Paul II. A little known fact about Pius IX is that he did not favour very tall mitres, but something more proportionate.

Mitre of Pope Pius IX

The second mitre was made for Pope Benedict XV (1914-1922) and which was subsequently used by  Pius XII, John XXIII and Paul VI. This splendid jewelled mitre preserves the traditional form for the ornamentation of a mitre: the circulus and titulus, namely those bands of ornament running around the head and vertically up the centre of the mitre.  Unhappily, many baroque mitres abandoned this ancient ornament in favour of something far less tasteful.  

Mitre of Pope Benedict XV.

During a visit to Venice, Benedict XVI was presented with a magnificent chasuble set with matching mitre.  The vestments were inspired by mediaeval originals, although in a modern interpretation.  In 2012, Pope Benedict wore these vestments again, but this time also using the Papal Fanon: a distinctive shoulder cape reserved solely to the use of the Supreme Pontiff.  

Pope Benedict wearing the Papal Fanon 2012.

The photograph below depicts a remarkable set of vestments, made from a reproduction of a Renaissance damask, which was used in the venerable Basilica of Santa Sabina on Ash Wednesday 2009.  Matching dalmatics are also shewn.

Being a Penitential day, the Pope wore the mitra simplex with these vestments.  It is believed that the late Pope was vested in this mitre (or one identical with it) for his laying-in-state and burial.

Pope Benedict imposing the ashes
Santa Sabina 2009.

On the occasion of his visit to the Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino in May 2009, the late Pope Benedict was presented with sets of vestments.  The presentation consisted of a chasuble, mitre, cope and matching dalmatics.  In their ornamentation, these vestments are very much in the character of the style of vestments used in Italy in the 13th century, although the cut of the chasuble is Borromeon.  Concerning the mitre, it was made from a white silk damask and its orphrey (properly called the circulus and titulus) is also formed from hand-embroidered gold silk.   

Candlemas at Saint Peter's February 2013

Epiphany 2010:
This is the chasuble in which Ss. John XXIII 
& Paul VI were crowned as Pope.
On a man of the stature and build of Pope Benedict these chasubles,
cut in the Roman style of the 18th century,
usually looked dignified and rich.

After 2007, there was an increased use by Pope Benedict of historic chasubles, copes and mitres from the Papal Treasury. In the photograph below is depicted a famous cope, which made for Pope S. John XXIII.

The Papal Cope was formerly a very long garment, trailing upon the ground.  It was called the mantum.  The mantum of S. John XXIII was worn at the Solemn Opening of the Second Vatican Council in 1962.  It was also used during the early years of the reign of Pope Paul VI.

The cope is made of white silk interwoven with threads of spun gold.  It is also embroidered with gold bullion.  The photograph clearly shew the coat of arms of S. John XXIII. It appears that the mantum was shortened at some stage, since it no longer falls in folds upon the ground.

In Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, on Saturday 19th July 2008, Pope Benedict celebrated Pontifical Mass with the Australian Bishops for seminarians and religious novices.  This was part of the Pope's three-day visit to Australia on the occasion of World Youth Day.

The vestments and mitre worn by Pope Benedict for this Papal Mass, together with the dalmatics of the deacons-assistant were designed and made by the Saint Bede Studio, by the commission of the Archdiocese of Sydney and the Holy See.  They are now kept in the Papal Sacristy of Saint Peter's Basilica.

Pope Benedict is greeted by a Religious Sister
after an Address of Welcome.

AMDG

Papal Retrospective : Pope Saint John Paul II (1978 - 2005)

On 16th October, 1978, KAROL WOJTYLA, Cardinal-Archbishop of Krakow, was elected Pope by the College of Cardinals and took the name John Paul, in tribute to his immediate predecessor. His election had not been expected and although he travelled outside of Poland, nevertheless he was not widely-known.  The selection of a non-Italian as pope came as a big shock to the world.  

Karol Wojtyla was born in the town of Wadowice, Poland on 18th May 1920. His studies for the priesthood were secret because of the Nazi occupation of Poland and he was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Krakow in 1946. His early years as a priest were a mixture of further study and pastoral activity. At the early age of 38, Father Wojtyla was consecrated auxiliary bishop of Krakow in 1958. He became Archbishop of Krakow in 1964 and three years later was elevated to the Sacred College by Pope Paul VI.

One paragraph cannot summarise the renown and breadth of the pontificate of John Paul II.  Shall we say that it was not for no reason that, after his death, he was dubbed popularly, John Paul the Great.  After several years of debilitating ill-health, Pope John Paul died on 2nd April, 2005 at the age of 84, and was buried in the crypt of Saint Peter's Basilica. 

A useful but not exhaustive summary of his life may be found here.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Pope Paul VI bestows the Cardinal's Ring on the
newly-created Cardinal Wojtyla,
Saint Peter's Square.
June 1967.

At the Solemn Mass of Inauguration in October 1978,
Cardinal Ratzinger of Munich greets the new Pope.

Pope John Paul II at the Holy Door of S' Peter's Basilica
at the Opening of the Special Jubilee Year of Redemption 1983.
Note the special form of Papal staff,
used on a few occasions by John Paul II.

Pope John Paul II pictured around 1985
and shewing the familiar Pastoral Staff. 

Pope John Paul at the Opening of the Holy Door
at Saint Peter's Christmas, 1999.
The cope, along with matching Eucharistic vestments,
was specially made for the occasion and has,
thank God, never been seen again.

The following images illustrate the changed aesthetic for Papal vestments which emerged during the and 1990's. The austerely decorated and unlined papal vestments of the 1970's and 1980's were set aside in favour of mitres and vestments which were more imaginative in design, rich in colour and made from better quality fabrics.  

Ash Wednesday in the Basilica of Santa Sabina.
A magnificant cope in violet silk, decorated with handwork in silver.
The mitre matches the vestments, being suitably sombre for Lent.

Pope John Paul II wearing an elaborate and beautifully ornamented
chasuble for the Season Per Annum.

In the Vatican Museum are preserved many of the vestments and mitres of Pope John Paul II. 
In this small case, one of his later mitres, pectoral Cross and pallium.

The Funeral of Pope John Paul II in Saint Peter's Square
8th April 2005: one of the most famous funerals in history.
Cardinal Ratzinger, Dean of the College of Cardinals, celebratedthe Funeral
and was subsequently elected as the new Pope.
On this occasion, the Cardinal-dean is wearing the same red chasuble which was used by Cardinal Re for the most recent Papal Funeral.

Santo subito chanted the vast congregation at John Paul II's funeral in 2005. His successor, Pope Benedict XVI, Beatified John Paul II on 1st May, 2011 on which occasion his casket was exhumed from the crypt and placed beneath an altar within the Basilica itself.  The numbers of the Faithful present at John Paul's Funeral and Beatification were so large that the congregation stretched back along all the Via della Conciliazione and onto the adjacent bridges which span the Tiber. Approximately one million people.

The casket bearing the mortal remains of John Paul II

is venerated by the members of the College of Cardinals

in Saint Peter's Basilica after the Mass of Beatification,

1st May 2011.

On a memorable Roman day, 27th April 2014, John Paul II was canonised in Saint Peter's Square. The Occasion was also memorable in that a former Pope - Benedict XVI - concelebrated with his Successor, Francis : never before in the history of Holy Mother Church. 

It is very unlikely that any reader of this Blog failed to observe, in one manner or another, the remarkable and historic occasion when the sanctity of two great Popes of the twentieth century was formally recognised by the Church. 

The previous Papal canonisation was in May 1954, when Pope Pius XII made the same declaration concerning his predecessor, Saint Pius X. 

 AMDG 

 Next post : Pope Benedict XVI.

Papal Retrospective : The Blessed John Paul I (1978)

Pope John Paul I Aug-Sept 1978.

On 26th August, 1978, ALBINO LUCIANI, Cardinal-Patriarch of Venice, was elected Pope by 111 members of the College of Cardinals and took a new Papal name in tribute to his immediate predecessors: John Paul.  His election had not been expected.

Outside of Italy, no one much had heard of Cardinal Luciani, but when he emerged on the balcony of Saint Peter's with that kindly smile, the world stopped and watched.  

The writer of these lines, as a schoolboy, vividly remembers that moment of happiness and excitement and then - a month later - how painful and shocking it was to learn that this gentle, fatherly figure had suddenly died.

Albino Luciani was born in humble circumstances in a village within the Diocese of Belluno (Northern Italy) on 17th October 1912. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Belluno in 1935 and was immediately selected for further studies, whilst teaching in the Diocesan Seminary. Father Luciani was consecrated bishop of Vittorio Venuto in 1958 by Pope John XXIII and appointed Patriarch of Venice in 1969.  In 1973 was elevated to the Sacred College by Pope Paul VI.

On 4th September, 2022, the late Bishop of Rome declared John Paul I to be among the "Blessed" during Mass in Saint Peter's Square. 

Pope John Paul is remembered in two significant ways: firstly, because his reign is among the briefest in Papal history, certainly the briefest in modern history. But he is also remembered as God's Smile having won over the world with his natural smile.  John Paul I was the first Pope to be born in the 20th century and the last Pope to die in it.  He died after only 33 days in office on 28th September, 1978 at the age of 65, and was buried in the crypt of Saint Peter's Basilica.

A useful summary of his life may be found here.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Consecration of bishops by Pope John XXIII at the Altar of the Chair
in Saint Peter's, December 1958.
Albino Luciano is the fifth gold-mitred bishop from the left, with head bowed.

Cardinal Luciani receiving the biretta from Pope Paul March 1973.

During a visit to Venice in 1973, Pope Paul VI in a symbolic gesture
placed his Papal Stole around the shoulders of Cardinal Luciani.

Cardinals Pericle Felici and Albino Luciani in the Vatican
after the death of Pope Paul VI, August 1978.

The Cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel for the August 1978 Conclave.
In the centre of the photograph can be seen Cardinal Ratzinger.

A smiling John Paul I greeting the Faithful in S' Peter's Square.

Cardinal Felici, Cardinal Proto-deacon, placing the Pallium around the shoulders
of Pope John Paul I at the Mass inaugurating his Pontificate
3rd September, 1978.

The Homage of Cardinal Ratzinger  at the Mass inaugurating the Pontificate
of Pope John Paul I,  3rd September, 1978.

John Paul I being carried on the sede gestatoria into the Lateran Basilica
which he took possession of as Bishop of Rome on 23rd September, 1978.
The familiar mitre was used frequently in the early years of the Pontificate
of John Paul II, but had belonged to Pope Paul VI.

John Paul I celebrating Mass in the Lateran Basilica
which he took possession of as Bishop of Rome on 23rd September, 1978.

The mortal remains of Pope John Paul I
lying in state in S' Peter's Basilica.

An occasion of sadness and poignancy: the funeral of Pope John Paul I
in S' Peter's Square 4th October, 1978.

Coat of Arms of Pope John Paul I

AMDG

Next post : Pope John Paul II

Papal Retrospective : Pope Saint Paul VI (1963-1978)

On 21st June, 1963, GIOVANNI BATTISTA MONTINI, Cardinal-Archbishop of Milan, was elected Pope by 80 members of the College of Cardinals and took the name Paul VI. Unlike his immediate predecessor, John XXIII, the election of Cardinal Montini was completely expected, since he had been prominent in Rome, in Italy and internationally for many years.

Giovanni Battista Montini was born was born in the village of Concesio, in the province of Brescia, on 26th September 1897. He was ordained a priest in Brescia in 1920, but undertook studies whilst working in the Papal Secretariat of State from 1922. He continued in this work throughout the 1920's and 1930's, but when Cardinal Pacelli was elected as Pope in 1939, Monsignor Montini became one of his closest associates.  In 1954,  Pius XII appointed Monsignor Montini as Archbishop of Milan.  Pope John XXIII elevated Monsignor Montini to the Sacred College of Cardinals in 1958.

Pope Paul VI's Pontificate spanned the years of the Second Vatican Council and the troubled years which followed it.  He was the first Pope in modern times to travel outside of Italy, visiting the Holy Lands, South America, Africa, Oceania and the United States.  He died on 6th August, 1978 at the age of 80 and is buried in the crypt of Saint Peter's Basilica.

In 2014, before a large concourse of the Faithful in Saint Peter's Square and in the presence of Benedict XVI (pope-emeritus) the College of Cardinals and representatives of bishops worldwide, Pope Paul was beatified by his successor Pope Francis.  On 14th October 2018, the same Bishop of Rome declared Paul VI to be canonised together with others of the beati.

An attempt to present a balanced account of his not uncontroversial life and work can be found here.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Figure 2 (above)

Pope Pius XII greeting Monsignor Montini.

Figure 3 (above)

During the consecration of Monsignor Montini as Archbishop of Milan 

in Saint Peter's December 1954.

Figure 4 (above)

This interesting photograph was taken in the Sistine Chapel

after Cardinal Montini had been elected Pope, 21st June 1963

A procession of Cardinals approaches the Pope

to greet him and promise obedience.

Something distinctive seen in this image is that the tables and canopies

 where the Cardinals are seated are not covered in crimson or purple cloth but violet.

Figure 5 (above)

The special Papal throne set up at the entrance to Saint Peter's Basilica

for the Solemn Mass and Coronation of Paul VI.

The Feast of Ss Peter and Paul, 1963.

Because it was the height of summer, the rites where carried out in the 

late afternoon and night had fallen by the time they had concluded.

Figure 6 (above)

Paul VI at the cathedra shortly after the moment of his Coronation.

This much-commented on triple tiara was made of aluminium and gold

and was a gift of the Archdiocese of Milan.

How they crafted in just one week remains a wonder.

Figure 7 (above)

Paul VI preparing incense during the Solemn Papal Mass of Coronation

celebrated in Saint Peter's Square, 29th June 1963.

This was the first time that a Pope had celebrated Mass in the Square.

Note the array of mitres and triple tiaras resting on the Altar :

a somewhat cluttered disposition.

Figure 8 (above)

Coronation medal of Pope Paul VI.

Figure 9 (above) and Figure 10 (below)

During one of the Sessions of the Second Vatican Council,

the Ugandan Martyrs were canonised in the Basilica.  October 1964.

A cage of doves (above) presented to the Pope as part of the ceremonial offerings

explains the smiles on the faces of those in this photograph.

This was the last occasion that the Papal Mass was celebrated with its complete 

and elaborate rituals before modifications took place in 1965.

Figure 11 (above)

Pope Paul consecrating missionary bishops at the Altar of the Chair in

Saint Peter's Basilica, 1964.

The images following were taken between 1965 and 1978. The year 1964 marks a distinct phase in the Liturgical aesthetics of Papal Ceremonies.  Much simpler forms of papal ceremonial and vesture were introduced, for better and worse.

Figure 12 (above)

Pope Paul offering Mass in the Basilica of the Annunciation

during his Apostolic Voyage to the Holy Lands, 1964.

Figure 13 (above)

Paul VI during a Mass of priestly Ordination in Saint Peter's, 1965.

Figure 14 (above)

Pope Paul preaching during Mass.

The use of the well-known pastoral staff for Papal Ceremonies 

had been introduced in 1965.  Paul VI had several similar versions

of this staff, one of which continued to be used by his Successors

until quite recently.

Figure 15 (above)

Pope Paul celebrating Low Mass in a Roman Parish.

Figure 16 (above)

May 1969. Newly-elevated members of the Sacred College

concelebrate with Pope Paul in Saint Peter's Basilica.

When concelebration was re-introduced in Rome after 1965, it was customary

for the concelebrants to completely encircle the Altar of the Confession

in the Basilica. This practice was dropped with the introduction

of the New Order of Mass in 1970.

Figure 17 (above)

Pope Paul with the heroic Cardinal Mindzenty of Hungary in the Vatican, 1971.

Figure 18 (above)

Pope Paul kneeling at the threshold of the Holy Door in Saint Peter's

after its Opening for the 1975 Holy Year.

Figure 19 (above)

Pope Paul during his final Mass in Saint Peter's Square, Easter Day 1978.

One of the admirable pieces of Liturgical art produced during the reign of Pope Paul VI was the well-known mitre shewn in the above photograph. This mitre was especially designed and made for Pope Paul by the same artisans in the Archdiocese of Milan who had designed his triple tiara. Ornamented with embroideries of the Four Evangelists, the mitre is also remarkable for its couched gold thread, running in parallel circles. The highest workmanship is evident in this mitre and it is of excellent proportion.  In fact, there were several such mitres. One had silver ornament, the other gold. One was left in Australia after the Papal Visit of 1970.  After 1966, Pope Paul usually wore this mitre, such that it became identifiable with him.

Pope Saint John Paul II also had made a Four Evangelists mitre, which he wore frequently before the final years of his illness.  

Figure 20 (above)

Pope Paul laying-in-state at Castelgandolfo

following his unexpected death on 6th August, 1978.

Changes to ceremonial for the death of a Pope are manifest here in the

simple mitre rather than the cloth gold mitre being used for burial.

AMDG

Next post : Pope John Paul I