Five things pope emeritus will be giving up

On Thursday, the Vatican also announced that Benedict has decided to continue wearing a "simple white cassock," or ankle-length robe, a colour which is reserved for the pope. But he will be giving up the mozzetta, the short, elbow-lentgh cape that covers the pope's shoulders. "There is a lot of history and tradition when it comes to papal clothing, papal attire," Dennis said. White is meant to symbolize purity and holiness. It also symbolizes ... more 

On Thursday, the Vatican also announced that Benedict has decided to continue wearing a "simple white cassock," or ankle-length robe, a colour which is reserved for the pope. But he will be giving up the mozzetta, the short, elbow-lentgh cape that covers the pope's shoulders. "There is a lot of history and tradition when it comes to papal clothing, papal attire," Dennis said. White is meant to symbolize purity and holiness. It also symbolizes "that the person who assumes the office of the pope is not chosen merely by a group of men, a group of cardinals, that he is chosen in a providential way," Dennis said. Some Vatican officials had previously suggested that Benedict would wear the red of cardinals or the black garb of an ordinary priest after he retired, instead of the papal white. (Getty photo) less