A reader asked for more information about the so-called croccia.
This term is actually used to designate several different garments worn by different ranks of priests or prelates of the Papal Household.
The caudatario's croccia:
It has the shape of a sort of open violet woolen mozzetta with short sleeves.
It is worn -by Pius IV's concession in 1559- whenever the train-bearer of a Cardinal escorts him to a papal function.
The Papal Chamberlain's or Papal Chaplain's croccia:
It's a sort of red woolen mantle covered with red silk and with a large hood covered with ermine in winter.
It is worn by Privy Chamberlains and Papal Chaplains only during papal functions
The Cardinal's croccia:
It's a sort of open violet woolen cloak worn by Cardinals over the mozzetta during the Conclave until Pius IX's election in 1846. Later, it fell into desuetude.
