JPIIwore a dark, burgundypair, andPopeBenedictfamouslysportedslickredleatherloafers, whichpromptedEsquireMagazinetonamehim "AccessorizeroftheYear" in 2007.
Theredshoesarelikely a referencetothebloodofmartyrsandthepassionofJesus, whoisoftenpicturedinredpost-resurrection.
Butsomeclaimthey'rejust a holdoverfromwhentherichandpowerfulwore a lotofred.
Becauseitwasexpensiveandsetthemapartfromcommonpeople, whichitseemsiswhere a lotofpapalgarmentdesignoriginates.
IfyoulookattheclothingofByzantineroyalty, you'llsee a lotofsimilaritiestomoderncatholicleadership, rightdowntotheredshoes.
PopeFrancis' choicesreflect a desiretodistancehimselffromthathistory.