A cheeky little three-year-old girl has been caught on camera stealing the Pope’s skullcap as she gives him a kiss.
It is not the first time he has lost his headwear to a curious child.
As the pontiff held a youngster in his arms while visiting a medical centre back in 2013, the cheeky child took off his white zucchetto at the Vatican.
For a moment, it looked like the cap-snatcher had an amazing souvenir – but, with a smile, the leader of the Catholic Church retrieved his headwear and returned it to its rightful place.
Why does the Pope wear a skullcap?
The traditional cap worn by Catholic clergy is called the zucchetto and is similar to the yarmulke, which Jewish men wear.
It sits on the crown of the head and its original use was practical.
Clerics used to be tonsured and had a ring of hair removed off the top of their head when they embraced celibacy.
To counter the cold, they were given a skullcap to keep their heads warm inside the unheated monasteries and churches.
Though it is no longer required to retain heat, it has remained as part of of the Catholic clergy’s uniform to signify ecclesiastical rank.
White – Pope
Red – Cardinals
Amaranth red – Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops
Black – lower clergy
Source: Daily Mail
