Umbraculum

The umbraculum (Italian: ombrellone, "big umbrella", or also basilica) is a historic piece of the papal regalia and insignia, once used on a daily basis to provide shade for the pope (Galbreath, 27). Also known as the pavilion, in modern usage the umbraculum is a symbol of the Roman Catholic Church and the authority of the pope over it. It is found in the contemporary Church at all the basilicas throughout the world, placed prominently at the right of their main altars. Whenever the pope visits a basilica, its umbraculum is opened.

Translated from the Latin language into the Italian language, it is known as an ombrellino or in the English language as an umbrella. It is shaped as a Baldachin-type canopy with broad alternating gold and red stripes, the traditional colors of the pontificate (white did not begin to be used as the papal color until after the Napoleonic wars). It also featured a staff with small bells, which often chimed to announce the arrival of a pope travelling by horse and carriage. The controversial Borgia Pope Alexander VI was the first pope to use the umbraculum as a symbol of the temporal powers of the papacy (Galbreath, 31); royalty during those days commonly walked outdoors under a canopy. A member of the Papal Gentlemen would often follow behind a pope with the umbraculum in hand.

The umbraculum is part of the coat of arms of the Holy See sede vacante, i.e., between the reigns of two popes. It was first used as an interregnal emblem in this way on coins minted in 1521 (Galbreath, 34). The coat of arms of the Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, who exercises the temporal sovereignty of the Holy See during a sede vacante, are also ornamented with a pair of gold and silver keys in saltire surmounted by an umbraculum.

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