The exact reason isn’t known. Any source I’ve read says the best guess is that Pope Innocent V, in 1276 was fairly well regarded. He was a member of the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans), who wore white habits. He continued to wear that habit as Pope. Later Popes started wearing their regular cassocks in white instead of black.
The exact reason isn’t known. Any source I’ve read says the best guess is that Pope Innocent V, in 1276 was fairly well regarded. He was a member of the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans), who wore white habits. He continued to wear that habit as Pope. Later Popes started wearing their regular cassocks in white instead of black.