The Blessing of the Pallium for Cardinal McElroy by Pope Leo XIV

The pallium is a vestment worn over the chasuble when an Archbishop celebrates Mass. The pallium symbolizes that Christ governs His flock as the Good Shepherd who became a Lamb and governs with the mercy of the cross through his representative in our midst – the Archbishop – in union with the Vicar of Christ, the successor of St. Peter.

The pallium is a thin white band the Archbishop wears around his shoulders, almost like a yoke, on top of the other Mass vestments. It is made of wool to express his role as shepherd and is ornamented with crosses signifying Christ’s wounds.

There are three nails worn around the pallium representing Christ’s crucifixion.

On the tips of the pallium are two black bands that almost resemble a lamb’s feet. They call to mind that the good shepherd went in search of the lost sheep and, when found, placed it upon his shoulders. That symbolic ornamentation reminds us that the Archbishop wears the burdens and hardships of his people upon his shoulders as their shepherd, in imitation of the Good Shepherd.
 
 
 

The night before the pallium is given to the new Archbishops by the Pope, it is placed in a niche near the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle, signifying his unity with the Holy Father and the peace of the Church that union fosters.

We ask that you join us in prayer for the following men scheduled to receive their pallia at the June 29 Mass: Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of Washington; Archbishop W. Shawn McKnight of Kansas City, Kansas; Archbishop Robert G. Casey of Cincinnati; Archbishop George M. McGovern; Archbishop of Omaha; Archbishop Joe S. Vásquez of Galveston-Houston; Archbishop Jeffrey S. Grob of Milwaukee; Archbishop Richard G. Henning of Boston; and Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger of Detroit.

Learn more about the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles on the Vatican News website. Read the daily readings for this Feast day from the USCCB.