This zucchetto and document of authenticity verify that this is a zucchetto belonging to Pope Pius XII. The document states, The white zucchetto accompanying (this information) was used by his Holiness, Pope Pius XII. The card was signed on August 6, 1957. His signature is not legible, but he describes himself as a “secret waiter to the Pope.
A zucchetto is a small skullcap worn by clerics of the church. It consists of eight panels sewn together with a stem on top. It was first adopted to keep the tonsured (shaved heads) of clergy warm in damp, cold churches but it has survived to the present day. All ordained clergy are entitled to wear a zucchetto. The color denotes the wearer’s rank: the pope’s is white; cardinals’ are scarlet and bishops’ are a shade of purple. Priests’ are black. Deacons are also entitled to wear zucchettos.