The Pallium is a vestment proper to the pope, who confers it on archbishops in token of their unity with and obedience to him. It is a band of cloth worn around the neck and has a 2-in. (5.1-cm) pendant hanging down in both front and back. There are six crosses on the pallium. It is woven of wool from two lambs presented to the pope at the Church of St. Agnes in Rome on her feast day which is later this week, January 21st. Certain liturgical functions, such as ordination, require the use of the pallium, and an archbishop may not perform those until he has received it. The use of the pallium dates back to the 6th cent.
(The photograph to the left is Benedict XVI's pallium and is courtesy of New Liturgical Movement.)
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