Catholic Vocab Word of the Week: "Zucchetto"

The word “zucchetto” comes from the Italian for “little gourd” or “pumpkin.” It refers to the close-fitting, ecclesiastical skull cap worn by the Pope (white), Cardinals (red), and bishops (purple).

What it looks like

• The zucchetto is made of silk or polyester and is sewn together from eight triangular panels 

• It often has a small stem on top 

• The color of the zucchetto depends on the wearer's rank 

Who wears it 

• Bishops, cardinals, archbishops, and the pope wear zucchettos during mass

• Senior clergy in Anglicanism may also wear zucchettos

When it's worn 

• Bishops and cardinals wear zucchettos during mass, except during the Canon

• Other ecclesiastics may wear zucchettos during mass with special permission

Why it's worn 

• The zucchetto may have been originally worn to cover the shaved heads of clergy in cold churches

• It can also be worn under a mitre, biretta, or papal tiara to protect them

Other names 

• The zucchetto is also known as the pileolus, berettino, calotte, subbiretum, and submitrale