What is that nub for on top of the pope's hat for?

Answer 1

The Pope is Bishop of Rome and wears the same vestments as other bishops. The ceremonial hat worn by bishops is known as a mitre (spelt miter in the USA). In the Western Church these are currently in the shape of a carpenter's hat with a point at the front and back. You can make one by refolding a paper bag so that the bottom corners point upwards. In the Eastern Church, mitres are shaped more like the domes on St Basil's cathedral.

Previously, Western bishops wore more rigid mitres in the same shape as a bishop Chess piece. This had a knob at the top - probably mainly for decoration although it was something to grasp when putting it on and off. The Pope had a mitre of this type with three crowns around it representing the Trinity and known as the Triple Tiara. At the top was a cross mounted on a ball representing the supremacy of Christ over the world. This and earlier tiaras now live in the Vatican Museum. The last time one was used was at the inauguration of Pope Paul VI in 1963.


On the top of the skull cap, called a zucchetto, that is worn by the pope, cardinal or bishop, there is a small piece of cord which is a 'handle' so that the cap can be easily removed or replaced. This "stem", known as stirpis or stirpes. It is made of a twisted loop of silk cord and is meant to make the handling of the zucchetto easier.

Answer 2

The Pope is Bishop of Rome and wears the same vestments as other bishops. The ceremonial hat worn by bishops is known as a mitre (spelt miter in the USA). In the Western Church these are currently in the shape of a carpenter's hat with a point at the front and back. You can make one by refolding a paper bag so that the bottom corners point upwards. In the Eastern Church, mitres are shaped more like the domes on St Basil's cathedral.

Previously, Western bishops wore more rigid mitres in the same shape as a bishop chess piece. This had a knob at the top - probably mainly for decoration although it was something to grasp when putting it on and off. The Pope had a mitre of this type with three crowns around it representing the Trinity and known as the Triple Tiara. At the top was a cross mounted on a ball representing the supremacy of Christ over the world. This and earlier tiaras now live in the Vatican Museum. The last time one was used was at the inauguration of Pope Paul VI in 1963.

Answer 3

On the top of the skull cap, called a zucchetto, that is worn by the pope, cardinal or bishop, there is a small piece of cord which is a 'handle' so that the cap can be easily removed or replaced. This "stem", known as stirpis or stirpes. It is made of a twisted loop of silk cord and is meant to make the handling of the zucchetto easier.