The Papal Cross
also known as the Pope's Cross and the Maronite's Cross
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The Papal Cross is an official emblem of the Papal Office and tends to be seen more in ceremonial occasions and processions
The Papal Cross
The Papal Cross
Pope Benedict XVI with a Bent Cross
Pope John Paul II with a Papal Cross
The Papal Cross is an official emblem of the Papal Office.
The pope uses several designs of cross, including the crucifix, Latin Cross, fabulous jewelled crosses and an odd one with a bent cross-beam (see Bent Cross).
The Papal Cross tends to be seen more in ceremonial occasions and processions. The three bars have several interpretations, including:
- the Pope's triple roles as leader of worship, teacher and community leader
- the Pope's triple religious authorities as Bishop of Rome, Patriarch of the West, and successor of St Peter, Chief of the Apostles
- the Pope's powers and responsibilities: temporal, spiritual, and material
- the Pope's extra bar of authority over the two-bar Archiepiscopal or Patriarchal cross
For some Christians, whilst recognizing the pope as an incredibly important person, they prefer to interpret the three bars differently:
- the three crosses on Calvary
- Faith, Hope, Love
or the most popular:
- the Trinity
Lebanese flag
This latter interpretation is favoured by the Maronite Church, which also uses this three-beamed cross design. These Catholics are followers of St. Maron and the church has, for the past few hundred years, been centred in Lebanon, which is predominantly Muslim.
Coincidentally, the cross with three bars has similarities with the cedar tree seen in the Lebanese national flag. ("The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon" - Psalm 92:12) In the 18th century the Maronites used a white flag with a cedar tree in the centre. Later, the red stripes were added giving us the flag we see today. (See also Lebanese Forces Cross)
In Freemasonry, the three-barred cross is known as a Salem Cross and often angled like the St. Gilbert Cross. (A single barred cross is known as Passion Cross and with two bars is known as a Patriarchal Cross.) Salem means 'peace' and comes from the name of the city of Jerusalem. Like the Papal Cross, a cross with three bars signifies the ultimate rank of the wearer. (See also Cross and Crown.)
An earlier Papal Cross
Similar; known variously as the Eastern Orthodox or Byzantine Cross
