Colorado Springs, Colo., Sep 4, 2011 / 11:11 am
Anyone who is planning a trip to Rome and wants to bring back a unique papal souvenir may want to consider stopping at Gammarelli’s tailor shop before attending an audience with the Holy Father.
With an investment of about $50 and a little opportunism, visitors to the Eternal City could come back with a zucchetto worn by the Pope himself, even if only for a few minutes. A zucchetto is a skull cap worn by Catholic clergy; the Pope’s are always white.
“There’s a very old tradition in which, if you purchase a white zucchetto at the Pope’s tailor shop, you can hold it up during a papal audience and the Swiss Guards will swap yours for the one the Pope is wearing,” said Father Kevin Peek.
Gammarelli’s, established in 1798, has served five Popes, including John Paul II. It carries a wide variety of religious apparel, including chasubles and miters, stoles, and even cardinal red socks.