Archbishop Richard Moth received the pallium from Pope Leo XIV during Mass in St Peter’s Basilica on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Monday 29 June.

The Archbishop of Westminster was among 35 metropolitan archbishops from around the world who received the pallium during the annual celebration, presided over by the Holy Father in the Vatican.

The pallium, a narrow band of white wool marked with six black crosses and worn around the shoulders, is a symbol of the pastoral office of a metropolitan archbishop, his communion with the Successor of St Peter, and his responsibility to shepherd the faithful entrusted to his care.

During the rite, Pope Leo bestowed the pallium ‘taken from the tomb of Blessed Peter’ upon each metropolitan archbishop, praying that it would be ‘a symbol of unity and a sign of communion with the Apostolic See’, as well as ‘a bond of charity and a source of strength’ in their ministry.

Speaking before the conferral of the pallia, Pope Leo explained the significance of the ancient symbol:

‘These bands of white wool adorned with crosses express the commitment of every Shepherd — and also of every Christian — to take upon their shoulders the brothers and sisters entrusted to them, like so many lambs of the Lord’s flock, and to sacrifice their energy, time, effort and even their lives for them.’

He added that this service is offered so ‘that the Gospel may reach everyone, and the whole world may find in it harmony and concord.’

The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul has long been the occasion on which newly appointed metropolitan archbishops receive the pallium, expressing both their pastoral responsibility within their ecclesiastical province and their communion with the Bishop of Rome.

Archbishop Richard Moth was appointed Archbishop of Westminster by Pope Leo XIV earlier this year, succeeding Cardinal Vincent Nichols as Metropolitan Archbishop of Westminster.