For the feast of Saint Agnes

At 12:30 noon today at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, two lambs were presented to the Holy Father today.  Each year, on the Feast of Saint Agnes (January 21), lambs are presented to the Pope.  Pope Francis blessed the lambs.

The wool from these lambs will be used to make the Pallia for the newly appointed Metropolitan Archbishops.  The Pallium is a liturgical insignia of honour and of jurisdiction which is worn by the Pope and the Metropolitan Archbishops when they are in their own Cathedrals and in the churches which are part of their own ecclesiastical province.

The pallium which is worn by Metropolitan Archbishops consists of a narrow strip of cloth woven out of white wool and decorated with six crosses in black silk.  The Rite of Imposition of the Pallia for newly appointed Metropolitan Archbishops is carried out each year by the Holy Father on June 29, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles.