Pope St. Pius V: Red Shoe in Case with Unbroken Seal in Back 
Pope St. Pius V
This is a papal shoe belonging to and worn by Saint Pius V. The 2nd class relic is contained in an ornate case with the Pope’s photo atop and an inscription, in Latin, Calceamentum S. PII PP. V. CONF.
The inscription indicates this is a shoe (Calceamentum) belonging to Pope Saint Pius V. Because of his canonization, it is a 2nd class relic.
The Collection has another pair of shoes belonging to St. Pius V. They are white leather. This particular one appears to be an indoor shoe, a slipper because of its softer, velvet fabric. A white cross adorns the front of the shoe and a gold braid tie.
The back of the case is featured here to show the unbroken wax seal indicating its authenticity.
Papal shoes varied depending upon what a pope was doing. He wore red leather outdoor shoes. They should not be confused with the indoor papal slippers. (Papal Artifacts has a slipper belonging to and worn by Pope Pius XII.)
Before 1969, the pope wore episcopal sandals during the Mass and the color of the sandals matched the various liturgical colors of the vestments. Outdoor shoes were made of plain red Morocco leather and also had a wide cross in gold braid. Various modern popes added and eliminated decorations on their shoes according to their own personal tastes.
Popes also have their own personal cobblers in Rome.
The red shoes are one of the few remnants, along with the camauro, papal mozzetta and tabarro that are of the former red color of papal garments.
Pope Francis has dispensed with red shoes!
Don’t Forget to Visit Here!
This is where you may see this & many other items in Duluth, MN
August 19 -21. Tickets at this site.
