On Monday 29 June, the Feast of Ss Peter and Paul, Archbishop Richard Moth received the pallium from Pope Leo XIV during Mass in St Peter’s Basilica, Rome. Speaking afterwards, he described the simple woollen vestment as a powerful symbol of communion with the Holy Father and of the archbishop’s mission as a shepherd, called to seek out the lost and carry the flock.

“The pallium itself is a small strip of unbleached white wool with crosses on it that goes around the shoulders,” he said. “Yet in its simplicity, it is very rich. The fact that it’s been given to you by the Holy Father means that there is a real sense of sharing in the work of the Holy Father as a shepherd of the flock.” He added that its three small nails recall Christ’s Crucifixion, symbolising the call to “pick up your cross and follow him”.

The Mass brought together bishops from around the world and concluded a two-day meeting of cardinals, reflecting what Archbishop Moth described as “the universality of the Church”. Receiving the pallium from Pope Leo was, he said, “very humbling”, expressing both solidarity with fellow new archbishops and closeness to the Holy Father, with whom he was able to exchange a few words after Mass.

(All photographs © Mazur/cbcew.org.uk)