Stole of the Four Evangelists

The Stole of the four evangelists is a liturgical vestment and one of the stoles of the Pope.

It was usually worn by the Pope over cassock, surplice, and mozzetta. The basic color of the stole is red. On each side, two evangelists and their symbols are depicted in gold threads: Matthew with an angel or human (top left), Luke with a bull (bottom left), John with an eagle (top right), and Mark with a lion (bottom right). Between them, on both sides, is a papal coat of arms with a tiara and crossed keys.

The stole was originally made for Pope Benedict XV. His immediate successor, Pius XI, did not wear it. Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I, and John Paul II wore it on the Benediction Loggia when giving the Urbi et Orbi blessing immediately after their election. During the pontificate of John Paul II, the embroidery, particularly the papal coats of arms, showed signs of wear. John Paul II rejected the plan to transfer the embroidery to a new fabric out of respect for the historic piece. Instead, a complete copy was made. He wore it primarily during the Jubilee Year 2000. Benedict XVI and Leo XIV also wore the duplicate after their election.^[1] Pope Francis also occasionally wore the stole, for example at the opening of the Holy Year 2025.^[2] At his first appearance after his election, he wore it only during the blessing. He refrained from wearing it during the preceding address.^[3][4]

• Benedict XV
• Pius XII
• John XXIII
• Paul VI
• John Paul I
• John Paul II
• Benedict XVI
• Francis on Habemus papam without Stole and Mozzetta
• Leo XIV