Camauro

The Camauro (also Kamauro ) is an often fur-trimmed red velvet hat . From the Middle Ages (around the 12th century) to the 19th century, it was the headgear of the popes outside of the liturgy , but was also worn - in a slightly different style - by other dignitaries (such as the Doges of Venice ).

etymology

The name Camauro possibly comes from the Kamilavkion ( Latin camelaucum ), the headgear of the Byzantine emperors .

history

Forerunner of the Camauro

The Camauro developed from a headgear for men that has been customary in Italy since the 12th century, a linen cap (cap made of flax fiber ) with long tips that ended in ribbons and could be tied under the chin. It was in this form in the clothes of the Doge of Venice until the end of the Venetian Republic .

Man with a linen cap, detail from Giotto's painting: The engagement of St. Francis with Poverty , ca.1296
Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) with a fleece- trimmed linen cap

Doge Leonardo Loredan (1436–1521) with a linen cap

Papal Camauro

Pope Benedict XVI with hermelin-lined winter camauro (2005)

The papal camauro was originally only worn with the Mozetta . It was available in two versions: in summer made of red, white fabric, and in winter lined with white ermine fur . In the Easter week (from Easter Sunday to White Sunday ) the Camauro was traditionally pure white. Until 1464 the cardinals also wore a camauro (without fur trim ). The Pileolus arose from the Camauro and no longer covered the ears and temples, but only the tonsure of the higher cleric.

Since the time of the Avignon Popes, the Camauro was generally worn by the Popes. With the bust of Urban VIII , which Gianlorenzo Bernini made in 1632, it became customary to depict popes in Camauro and Mozetta . While the popes had previously depicted themselves in portraits of rulers as “priests of the universal church” in the cope , the accent shifted towards a just ruler - Camauro and Mozetta were the clothes in which the Pope gave audiences and spoke right at these audiences. Deceased popes were usually laid out with camauro.

With the Napoleonic era, the Camauro went out of fashion and after the reign of Leo XIII. out of use. The Popes Pius XI. and Pius XII. were however laid out with Camauro after their death. After 60 years, John XXIII. him again for the first time. While neither Pope Paul VI. John Paul II still wore the Camauro, Pope Benedict XVI showed himself. on December 21, 2005 during a cold-weather audience with the Camauro. The close proximity to Christmas gave rise to associations in press reports with the American-style headgear of Santa Claus, which is usually also in the colors red and white , while church circles interpreted Pope Benedict's decision to reintroduce the Camauro as a sign of his attachment to tradition in outward appearance. The Pope commented on this incident in his second interview book with Peter Seewald as follows:

“I've only worn it once. I just froze and my head is sensitive. And I said that if we already have the Camauro, then we'll put it on too. But it was really just trying to withstand the cold. I haven't done it since. So that unnecessary interpretations do not arise. "

- Benedict XVI.