{"id":2229,"date":"2024-01-13T19:40:30","date_gmt":"2024-01-13T18:40:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/caeremonialeromanum.com\/?p=2229"},"modified":"2026-01-04T20:29:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T19:29:17","slug":"what-might-paul-vis-papal-tiara-have-looked-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/caeremonialeromanum.com\/en\/2024\/01\/13\/what-might-paul-vis-papal-tiara-have-looked-like\/","title":{"rendered":"What might Paul VI’s Papal Tiara have looked like?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Die 11 ianuarii Anno Domini 2024\nSancti Hygini Pap\u00e6 et Martyris\nSexta die infra Octavam Epiphani\u00e6<\/em><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The last crowned pope was Paul VI. The liturgy took place in St. Peter’s Square on June 30, 1963 was unique not only because of the place of its celebration and the simplifications introduced in relation to the customary ceremony, but also because of the tiara with which the Bishop of Rome was crowned. To this day, the way this papal crown was made \u2013 in a simple and modern style \u2013 can raise the temperature of many discussions, also among experts of art and crafts. Undoubtedly, compared to the triple papal crowns used in earlier centuries, Paul VI’s tiara stands out both in terms of shape and decoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Pope Paul VI with the tiara on his head on his way from the throne to the sedia gestatoria after the coronation rite.
Source: Osservatore Romano<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The coronation of Pope Pius II and information about the tiara of Pope Paul VI edited in historical context.
Source: Osservatore Romano<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
After the election of Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini, Archbishop of Milan, to the Throne of Peter, it was decided that the solemn coronation of the new pope would take place on June 30, 1963, i.e. nine days after the world heard <\/em>Habemus Papam! There is not much time to create an artistic work like a tiara, and this was the task faced by the members of the then famous Milanese School of Fra Angelico (<\/em>Scuola Beato Angelico) \u2013 it was entrusted to them after the faithful from the Archdiocese of Milan wanted to donate and fund \u201etheir\u201d pope new triple crown.<\/em>\n\nFragment of the article:<\/strong> What happened to the Papal Tiara?<\/a><\/em><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
On behalf of the faithful of the Archdiocese of Milan, the tiara was financed by the Municipal College of the Parishes of Milan (Collegio Urbano dei Parroci Milanesi<\/em>). The work at the Fra Angelico School was intense, as evidenced by the preserved sketches and designs of Paul VI’s tiara. Nevertheless, the choice fell on the most modern and at the same time the most austere idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Tiara of Pope Paul VI.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Tiara of Pope Paul VI.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
To this day, there are many joking terms with military connotations used in relation to Paul VI’s tiara. They are rather groundless and even absurd, despite the fact that the Cold War (1947-1991) was ongoing and the experience of two world wars (how could a tiara in the shape of a ballistic missile indicate the desire to pursue international peace?). According to another interpretation, the tiara was supposed to refer to the conquest of space (the first successful space flight took place in 1944, in 1957 the first satellite was placed in Earth’s orbit, and in 1961 the first man was sent into space). The work would be a symbol of the universality of the Church and the universality of Christ’s work of salvation. However, no such explication or exegesis can be found in any materials or publications devoted to the tiara of Paul VI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Tiara of Paul VI in the Museum of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.
Source: Liturgical Arts Journal \/ John Sonnen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Tiara of Paul VI in the Museum of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington (view on the vittae<\/em>).
Source: Liturgical Arts Journal \/ John Sonnen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Tiara of Paul VI in the Museum of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.
Source: Liturgical Arts Journal \/ John Sonnen.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The tiara is made of silver-plated metal with a Florentine texture. In fact, it has not the traditional three, but four crowns: three golden bands set with precious gems and a band of 24 gold-plated metal lilies, each also with a jewel. The tiara is topped with a gilded cross. It also has the usual so-called vittae<\/em> (ribbons) of silk trimmed with gold, decorated with pearls and finished with fringes \u2013 both have the coat of arms of Paul VI embroidered on them. The stones in the three golden stripes have non-random colors: the lower ones are white and symbolize faith, the middle ones are green and symbolize hope, and the highest ones are red and mean love. Moreover, the lilies used on the base refer to the lilies found in Montini’s coat of arms \u2013 together with white stones, they symbolize purity and refer to the palette of papal colors established in the Middle Ages (the Pope wears white because he is the Vicar of Christ himself on earth). Therefore, on the one hand, there are numerous references to the traditional canon, and on the other hand, there is an attempt to approach the topic innovatively from an artistic point of view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n