When Pope Leo XIV first appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after being elected on May 8, people noticed something different. He was not wearing the plain white clothes and simple silver cross like Pope Francis used to. Instead, he wore a red satin cape, a burgundy stole with gold designs, and a gold cross with shiny gold cords.
Over the next few weeks, even more changes were seen. He wore cufflinks, lace, and white pants, which reminded many of how popes used to dress long ago.
This has made many people talk online. Some are excited to see these old traditions return. Others are wondering if this return to traditional fashion means Pope Leo might also bring back older church practices and beliefs.
For tailors in Rome who make special church clothes, this could be good news. They hope more priests and church leaders will now start wearing traditional outfits again, which could increase their business.
Experts like Father John Wauck say Pope Leo’s clothes are a “return to form” and show respect for tradition. Popes like John Paul II and Benedict XVI also dressed in this formal style.
Many conservative Catholics are happy with Pope Leo’s choice. They were not pleased with Pope Francis’ simpler style and his rules limiting the old Latin Mass. That older style of Mass was changed after the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, and Francis said it was dividing the church.
Now, with Pope Leo XIV, people are waiting to see if more old traditions will come back — not just in clothing, but also in how the Church is run.
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