# About the Pope? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 22, 2018, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016 "2018-08-22T02:41:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/1 "2018-08-22T02:41:56Z")
Now we know what a Scotsman wears under his kilt. Hose, shoes, and garters to hold the hose up. So, besides footwear, what does The Pope wear under his cassock? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/2 "2018-08-22T02:51:06Z")
Presumably underwear, at least. I don’t think he needs a spanx garment. Wasn’t there some kerfuffle about the Popes fancy red shoes?Ferragamos? ---
**Author:** ![MacDuff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/macduff/32/482_2.png) [@MacDuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacDuff)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/3 "2018-08-22T02:51:33Z")
An alterboy. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/4 "2018-08-22T02:58:41Z")
A Catholic friend once suggested that the Pope’s socks were holey, which was probably the first ever double entendre I ever heard and managed to understand around age 10, so the same may apply to his undergarments. Blessed be the fruit. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/5 "2018-08-22T02:58:49Z")
> [@MacDuff](#): > > An alterboy. **Moderator Note** Let’s keep religious jabs out of GQ. No warning issued. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/6 "2018-08-22T03:02:51Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Wasn’t there some kerfuffle about the Popes fancy red shoes?Ferragamos? Yes, but they go so well with [cowgirl hats](http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/UnNews:Pope_gets_new_hat). ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/7 "2018-08-22T03:07:48Z")
Pope Benedict changed the color of the papal shoes to black. The Pope wears standard underclothing under the papal cassock. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/8 "2018-08-22T03:24:26Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Pope Benedict changed the color of the papal shoes to black. Actually, Benedict changed from black to red. Francis changed back to black. > [@](#): > > The Pope wears standard underclothing under the papal cassock. Actually, popes wear trousers under the cassock, like most priests. [Benedict wore white, Francis black.](https://churchmousec.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/pope-attire-2013-afp-photo_1363680589061-3-0.jpg?w=490&h=505) I assume he wears standard underclothing under the trousers. (Francis seems like a boxers type to me.:)) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/9 "2018-08-22T03:52:13Z")
IDK, seems like tighty-whiteys would do better. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/10 "2018-08-22T04:59:38Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > IDK, seems like tighty-whiteys would do better. Francis is an elderly Argentinian. I doubt it. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/11 "2018-08-22T05:31:18Z")
Do elderly men always wear boxers? I know, I know I’m sheltered.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/12 "2018-08-22T05:34:21Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Actually, Benedict changed from black to red. Francis changed back to black. > > Actually, popes wear trousers under the cassock, like most priests. [Benedict wore white, Francis black.](https://churchmousec.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/pope-attire-2013-afp-photo_1363680589061-3-0.jpg?w=490&h=505) I assume he wears standard underclothing under the trousers. (Francis seems like a boxers type to me.:)) Had it backwards. Thanks for the correction. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/13 "2018-08-22T06:10:58Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Actually, Benedict changed from black to red. Francis changed back to black. Apparently, red shoes for the Pope are a tradition that goes back centuries, though Benedict got quite a bit of press for his expensive (and, apparently, sometimes bespoke) red shoes. But, yes, Francis has gone to simple black shoes. > **[The Truth Behind the Pope's Ruby Red Slippers](https://www.messynessychic.com/2018/02/07/the-truth-behind-the-popes-ruby-slippers/)** > > Jude Law in HBO's The Young Pope > > > > If the clothes make the man, then the shoes make the Pope – and more specifically, his ruby red shoes. The scarlet slippers have been reincarnated for thousands of years for his Holiness, and each pair has a story... ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/14 "2018-08-22T06:15:49Z")
All I know is he goes #2 in the Vatican. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/15 "2018-08-22T06:30:47Z")
Where do they collect the papal piss? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/16 "2018-08-22T06:58:16Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Where do they collect the papal piss? In the Vati-can? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/17 "2018-08-22T11:51:13Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > garters to hold the hose up. . . . and deep as well. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/18 "2018-08-22T12:45:36Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Do elderly men always wear boxers? I know, I know I’m sheltered.🙂 Care for a walnetto? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/19 "2018-08-22T19:41:50Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > **Moderator Note** > > Let’s keep religious jabs out of GQ. No warning issued. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator With an OP like this, how long are you going to resist moving it someplace more frivolous? ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016/20 "2018-08-22T21:43:29Z")
According to the Wiki pages on [papal slippers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_Slippers) and [papal shoes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_shoes), the red color symbolized either the blood of Christ, or the flame of Pentecost. [I have also read that red shoes were also worn by Roman emperors, triumphant generals, and kings in the pre-Republican era.] On one of John Paul II’s trips to the USA, an El Paso boot-maker made him a pair of red cowboy boots. I don’t know if he ever wore them. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-pope/820016.md?page=2)