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starrs0
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Can anyone give me any info on the staff that the pope carries I’ve heard it refereed to as a “Papal Crucifix” did any popes use it prior to John Paul II and Benedict XVI?
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marysea
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All popes have a staff, and the design is of their own choosing. This goes back “for ages”, but now you’ve piqued my curiousity and I’ll see what else I can find on Google.
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marysea
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I hope someone knowledgeable will pop into this thread, because a cursory review of online info reveals conflicting explanations. Part of my confusion is what’s the difference (if any) between a “staff” and a “crosier”? All bishops carry what as I child I heard called “a bishop’s crook” – a reference to the symbolism of his role as pastoral leader, like a shepherd’s crook or staff.
Early images of popes do show something similar, a tall staff of some sort carried in the left hand. I don’t know when the idea came in to have a Crucifix depicted, that I believe is new. However, some sources I read stated the Pope does not carry a crosier anymore…obviously not the case, although there were periods of time when this was not part of the papal dress. Perhaps it’s something that has faded in and out of use by Popes through history.
Early images of popes do show something similar, a tall staff of some sort carried in the left hand. I don’t know when the idea came in to have a Crucifix depicted, that I believe is new. However, some sources I read stated the Pope does not carry a crosier anymore…obviously not the case, although there were periods of time when this was not part of the papal dress. Perhaps it’s something that has faded in and out of use by Popes through history.
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starrs0
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Did a bit of digging the current staff only dates to around the time of Pope Paul VI and has been used ever since. I can’t find any images of Popes previous to him carrying this current design which I have to admit is not that great the courpus looks gnarled and emaciated and the crucifix has got a pot marked beat-up look to it and the arms are bent downward (quite odd) but maybe theres some kind of deep symbolism in the design that I’m just not getting any thoughts?
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marysea
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Pope John Paul II’s staff was designed by some famous artist. I think the symbolism of the “sagging” look of the Corpus is that He has expired in death, complete surrender. (But I don’t like it either; I’d rather see a plain or decorated cross, not a crucifix. It’s very distracting.)
Certainly some popes carried staffs before Pope Paul VI; maybe they meant some particular style, or a return to carrying them from an old tradition.
Certainly some popes carried staffs before Pope Paul VI; maybe they meant some particular style, or a return to carrying them from an old tradition.
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Brain
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also a cool bit of trivia about the pastoral staff (the popes staff’s name). Not that its required, but the Pope by traditioon does not use a crosier outside of one particular diocese because St Peter sent his staff there so as to convey a blessing to a sick man (who later became the place’s bishop).
From my understanding the staff of JPM was supposed to symbolize the weight of sin. but i have also heared that the double crook shape made by the crossbeam mimics a type of eastern rite crosier, so i dont know.
From my understanding the staff of JPM was supposed to symbolize the weight of sin. but i have also heared that the double crook shape made by the crossbeam mimics a type of eastern rite crosier, so i dont know.
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HagiaSophia
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I originally obtained this from EWTN’s Ask An Expert but I believe they have changed their webpages so I don’t quite know where that portion is anymore. But the answer at that time was:
"The crucifix used by the Holy Father is technically his crozier, the shepherd staff that is the most senior ecclesiastical insignia of the bishop and represents his pastoral authority. As bishops and the shepherds of the Universal Church, the popes have used the crozier, but ceased doing so in the 11th century. Traditionally, the crozier traces its origins back all the way to the Apostles, and it is known to have been used in the traditional form by bishops(with an ornamental crook) from the time of Pope Celestine I (r. 422-432.
Pope Paul instituted a change upon his election. Rather than use a traditional crozier – seen as a symbol of jurisdictional authority – the pontiff adopted what was termed a pastoral staff. The staff was designed by Italian artist Lello Scorzelli in the shape of a crucifix. The staff was retained by both Popes John Paul I and John Paul II. In 1990, a new, slightly re-designed staff was presented to the pontiff in honor of his birthday. This staff is still in use today…"
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