Pope blesses pallia: sign of unity for metropolitan archbishops (Vatican Press Office)

On June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Pope Francis blessed the pallia that will be given to newly appointed metropolitan archbishops around the world. The pallium, a while woolen vestment worn around the neck, is the symbol of the archbishop’s authority and his unity with the See of Peter. In the past, new archbishops traveled to Rome to be invested with the pallium. Under Pope Francis the ceremony has usually taken place in the archbishop’s own see.