This morning, in the Chapel of Urban VIII, two lambs were presented to the Pope, to be blessed on the liturgical memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr, in the Basilica of the same name on Via Nomentana.

The wool from these lambs will be used to make the pallia for the new Metropolitan Archbishops. The pallium is a liturgical insignia of honour and jurisdiction worn by the Pope and Metropolitan Archbishops in their Churches and in those of their Ecclesiastical Provinces. The pallium consists of a narrow band of white woollen cloth decorated with six black silk crosses.

The rite of blessing the pallia and presenting them to the Metropolitan Archbishops is performed by the Holy Father on 29 June, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.