Papal Retrospective : Leo XIII : 3

A portrait of Pope Leo XIII from the year 1885.

In this post, we depict some of the sacred metalware and textiles which belonged to Pope Leo and which are still preserved in the Vatican.

The images in this post were taken from the volume The Vatican Collection, the catalogue accompanying the exhibition of Papal treasures shewn in Australia in 1988.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

This magnificent Processional Cross in the Art Nouveau style
was made in France and presented to Pope Leo in 1887
to mark the Golden Jubilee of his Priestly Ordination.

A set of Papal Sandals of Leo XIII, made in 1880.
Intended only for ceremonial use, they are a far cry from the ruby slippers of recent Pontiffs.

A magnificent chalice and paten in the neo-Gothic style
presented by a Spanish order of Nuns to Pope Leo in 1887.

This is the Papal Mantum, a longer version of the cope, which was made for
Pope Leo XIII in 1880.  It is made of cream silk interwoven with spun silver thread
and elaborately embellished with goldwork.

This precious mitre of cloth gold, embellished with goldwork and precious stones
was presented to Pope Leo by Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany.