Pope Leo XIV is once again attracting attention beyond the usual Vatican headlines, this time for the distinctive way he has embraced traditional papal dress.
According to EWTN News, Vanity Fair included Pope Leo in its annual Best Dressed list released Aug. 5, placing the Holy Father in the magazine’s “the originals” category. The recognition marks the second time during his pontificate that a major fashion publication has singled out his appearance.
In December 2025, Vogue also included Pope Leo among its 55 best-dressed people of the year, according to EWTN News.
But the attention surrounding the pope’s clothing is about more than fashion. Many of the garments he wears are rooted in centuries of Catholic tradition and carry meanings connected to the papal office, ordained ministry, service and the Christian faith.
José Criales Unzueta, a style correspondent involved with Vanity Fair’s list, explained the magazine’s interest in Pope Leo to the New York Post.
“The reality is that everyone has a personal style, and this list celebrates people whose style we find most compelling, inspiring, idiosyncratic or a combination of those traits,” Unzueta said.
“In the case of Pope Leo, we are drawn to his innate Americanness — the way he will pair a baseball cap or a pair of Nikes with his vestments, which speaks to the great tradition of American sportswear,” he added.
That combination of modern American touches and traditional Catholic attire has been noticeable since the beginning of Leo’s pontificate.
When the newly elected pope first appeared before the faithful from St. Peter’s Basilica, observers saw the return of several traditional elements of papal dress that had not been used during Pope Francis’ pontificate.
Among the most recognizable is the red papal mozzetta.
According to EWTN News, the mozzetta is a nonliturgical garment traditionally worn over the cassock by popes and other members of the Catholic hierarchy. Its history reaches back at least to the 14th century, and it eventually became part of papal ceremonial dress around 1400.
For the pope, the garment reflects his spiritual authority and rank. When worn with the papal stole, it also serves as a visible sign of his universal jurisdiction over the Catholic Church.
Pope Leo has also continued wearing perhaps the most immediately recognizable symbol of the papacy, the white cassock.
The tradition of the white papal cassock is associated with Pope St. Pius V, a Dominican who continued wearing the white habit of his religious order after his election to the papacy in the 16th century. According to EWTN News, white carries longstanding Christian associations with purity, holiness, innocence and the glory of Christ.
Around the cassock, Pope Leo wears the traditional white fascia, a wide ceremonial sash. The garment symbolizes dedication to Christ and readiness to serve the people of God.
Another prominent feature of Leo’s papal attire has been the stole.
The stole is not merely decorative. It is a liturgical vestment associated with ordained ministry and is worn by priests and bishops. According to EWTN News, Pope Leo has regularly worn stoles since his 2025 election, including deep burgundy or scarlet versions decorated with gold embroidery.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops explains that the stole symbolizes the authority and responsibility of ordained ministry exercised in imitation of Christ, connecting it with Jesus’ words, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
One historic papal tradition Pope Leo has not adopted, at least publicly, is the wearing of red leather shoes.
Red papal shoes have centuries of history, while the color itself carries profound Christian symbolism associated with martyrdom and the Passion of Christ. Pope Benedict XVI became particularly well known for wearing them during his pontificate.
Leo, however, has generated attention for decidedly more modern footwear. According to EWTN News, photographs taken before his election showed the future pope wearing white Nike sneakers around Vatican grounds.
The contrast helps explain why secular fashion publications have taken notice: Pope Leo’s appearance combines unmistakably traditional Catholic garments with occasional touches associated with his American background.
For Catholics, however, the deeper significance of papal clothing extends well beyond a place on a best-dressed list. The cassock, fascia, mozzetta and stole belong to traditions developed across centuries, carrying visible reminders of holiness, ministry, authority and service to Christ and his Church.
While Vanity Fair may view Pope Leo through the lens of personal style, many of the garments drawing that attention ultimately point toward something far older than modern fashion; the history, symbolism and continuity of the papal office.
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