zucchetto

The zucchetto is a small, close-fitting skullcap worn by clergy in the Roman Catholic Church as part of the liturgical dress. It sits on the crown of the head and is typically worn with other ecclesiastical garments such as the cassock and biretta. Materials commonly used include silk, wool, and velvet, chosen to suit rank and occasion.

The color of the zucchetto indicates the wearer's rank within the hierarchy. The pope wears white, cardinals wear red, and bishops and archbishops wear purple. Priests and many members of religious orders typically wear black. The color system helps distinguish roles during ceremonial functions, while still allowing the item to serve a practical purpose as a compact head covering.

Etymology and history: The term zucchetto comes from the Italian word zucchetto, a diminutive of zucca meaning “pumpkin” or “head,” a reference to its rounded shape. The garment became a standard element of Latin Church clerical dress in the late medieval period and remains in use today as part of formal clerical attire, though some clergy may omit it in certain settings.