Photo by Nicholas D. Lombardi, S.J., Ph.D.
The wide-brimmed galero—or red cardinal’s hat—has been a symbol of elevation to the College of Cardinals since 1245.
Though Vatican II suppressed the wearing of the galero so that “people could better identify with their pastoral leaders,” cardinals still display it on their coat of arms, and some still have it hung in their home church after their death.
The custom continues at Fordham with the galero of Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., hanging in front of the stained glass window of the North American martyrs in the University Church.
