Page "Pallium" Paragraph 8

It is impossible to indicate exactly when the pallium was first introduced.

According to the Liber Pontificalis, it was first used in the first half of the fourth century, although Tertullian wrote an essay no later than 220 AD titled De Pallio ( On the Pallium ).

This book relates, in the life of Pope Marcus († 336 ), that he conferred the right of wearing the pallium on the Bishop of Ostia, because the consecration of the pope appertained to him.

At any rate, the wearing of the pallium was usual in the fifth century ; this is indicated by the above-mentioned reference contained in the life of St Marcus which dates from the beginning of the sixth century, as well as by the conferring of the pallium on St. Cæsarius of Arles by Pope Symmachus in 513.

Besides, in numerous other references of the sixth century, the pallium is mentioned as a long-customary vestment.

It seems that, from the beginning, the pope alone had the absolute right of wearing the pallium.

Its use by others was tolerated only by virtue of the permission of the pope.

We hear of the pallium being conferred on others, as a mark of distinction, as early as the sixth century.

The honour was usually conferred on metropolitans, especially those nominated vicars by the pope, but it was sometimes conferred on simple bishops ( e. g., on Syagrius of Autun, Donus of Messina, and John of Syracuse by Pope Gregory I ).