Theumbraculum (Italian:ombrellone, "big umbrella",[1] inbasilicas alsoconopaeum[2]) is a historic piece of thepapal regalia and insignia, once used on a daily basis to provide shade for thepope (Galbreath, 27). Also known as thepavilion, in modern usage the umbraculum is a symbol of theCatholic Church and theauthority of the pope over it. It is found in the contemporary Church at all thebasilicas throughout the world, placed prominently at the right of their mainaltars. Whenever the pope visits a basilica, its umbraculum is opened.[2]
Translated from theLatin language into theItalian language, it is known as anombrellino, or in theEnglish language as anumbrella. It is shaped as aBaldachin-typecanopy with broad alternatinggold andred stripes, the traditional colors of the pontificate (white did not begin to be used as the papal color until after theNapoleonic wars).
A fresco cycle from 1248 in the oratory of San Silvestro in the Roman church ofSanti Quattro Coronati shows that the umbraculum was already in use as a papal insignia at public events in the traditional colours of gold and red.
The umbraculum is part of thecoat of arms of theHoly Seesede vacante, i.e., between the reigns of two popes. It was first used as aninterregnal emblem in this way on coins minted in 1521 (Galbreath, 34). The coat of arms of thecamerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, who exercises the temporal sovereignty of the Holy See during a sede vacante, is also ornamented with a pair of gold and silver keys insaltire surmounted by an umbraculum.
The umbraculum is one of the symbols bestowed by the pope when he elevates a church to the rank of aminor basilica; the other being thetintinnabulum or bell.[2] The umbraculum of a major basilica is made of cloth of gold and red velvet, while that of a minor basilica is made ofyellow and redsilk. The umbraculum is also represented behind the shield in the coat of arms of a basilica. But these symbols are not mentioned in the 1989 Vatican directives.
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