Triple Crown

TRIPLE CROWN

BASIC R.C. BELIEF In early days, the Pope wore a simple bishop’s mitre. About the 9th century, a crown was added to it; later, a second crown and about 1365, a third. Some take the triple crown to signify the pope’s supreme authority over every phase of life; others take it to symbolize his three fold office as teacher, lawgiver, judge.

POST VATICAN II In 1978, both John Paul I and John Paul II, for the first time in centuries, refused to receive the crown at their investiture as pope.