Camauro

Acamauro(from theLatincamelaucumand from theGreekkamelauchion,meaning "camel-skin hat ") is a cap traditionally worn by thepope,the head of theCatholic Church.

Papal camauros are made from red wool or velvet with whiteerminetrim, and are usually worn during thewinterin place of thezucchetto.Like thebirettaworn by lower clergy and themortarboardworn byacademics,the camauro derives from theacademic cap(thepileus), originally worn to protecttonsured clericalheads in the cold season. It is often worn with a redmozzetta.

History[edit]

The camauro has been part of the papal wardrobe since the 12th century. Until 1464, it was worn bycardinals,without theerminetrim; from that date, the camauro became exclusively a papal garment and cardinals wore the scarletbirettainstead. The papal camauro fell into disuse after the death ofJohn XXIIIin 1963. It was revived once only in December 2005 byBenedict XVI.Benedict's choice prompted media comparisons toSanta ClausandFather Christmas;^[1]Saint Nicholas,who may have been the inspiration for the legend of Santa Claus, was bishop ofMyrain the early fourth century.^{[citation needed]}

A camauro was part of the headdress of theDoge of Venice,worn under thecorno ducaleor stiff peaked cap. Every Easter Monday, the doge headed a procession fromSan Marcoto the convent ofSan Zaccariawhere the abbess presented him a newlinencamauro crafted by the nuns.^{[citation needed]}