The Papal Slippers are a historical vestment of the Roman Catholic Church traditionally worn by the pope on his feet. They are a form of episcopal sandals worn by early bishops. Red in color to symbolize the blood of the martyrs, the slippers altogether symbolized the submission of the pope to the ultimate authority of Jesus Christ. Elaborately embroidered, the Papal Slippers were made by hand with red satin, red silk, gold threads and soles made of leather. Papal Slippers feature a sewn cross of red rubies. Matching gloves called the Papal Gauntlets were also part of the ensemble.
Pope Paul VI was the last pope to use the Papal Slippers in liturgical ceremonies. Pope John Paul I did not serve the papacy long enough to wear them in a liturgical ceremony but was the last pope to be buried in them upon death. Pope John Paul II, who chose not to wear them during his papacy, requested that he be exempted from using the Papal Slippers in burial in favor of his favorite leather walking shoes made in his native Poland.
The use of the Papal Slippers for the burial of popes is expected to be maintained by future popes. However, the comfort of modern shoes may dismay future popes from using the Papal Slippers in future liturgical ceremonies.
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