A man in religious attire smiles while two circular images of shoes, one black and one red, are displayed. — The black footwear, a symbol of Pope Francis's humility | Redacción Religión

Camara — The black footwear, a symbol of Pope Francis's humility | Redacción Religión

Francisco's black shoes: the symbol of humility he requested to be taken to his grave

He broke centuries of Vatican tradition by rejecting the papal red shoes and wearing his usual black footwear

22/04/2025 15:38:00h

Editorial Team

Since the beginning of his pontificate in 2013, Pope Francis marked a profound change in the Catholic Church. With simple yet symbolic gestures, the first Latin American Pope conveyed a clear message of closeness to the poorest and most humble.

One of the most discreet yet revealing symbols of that austere style was his shoes. Instead of the traditional red footwear that distinguished the pontiffs, Francis chose modest black shoes.

The tradition of red in papal footwear

For centuries, popes wore red shoes as part of their official attire. This color, far from being a superficial choice, represented the blood of Christian martyrs and evoked sacrifice,

Red also symbolized the connection with the Holy Spirit. The shoes, handcrafted, were part of the protocol that reflected the continuity of Vatican traditions.

However, Francis broke with this custom in a gesture that, although silent, had profound significance both inside and outside the Church.

A person dressed in white religious attire and red shoes, with arms extended in a welcoming gesture.

Benedict XVI wore the red footwear that was a tradition for popes | Redacción Religión

Humility in every step

Since his election as Supreme Pontiff, Francis showed a clear preference for sobriety in his attire. He rejected the embroidered surplice, the red mozzetta, and even the gold pectoral cross, opting instead for a simple silver cross that he had received as a bishop in 1992.

In line with that spirit, one of his first requests upon being elected Pope was to have his own black shoes brought from Buenos Aires. He wanted to keep that simple footwear as a visible sign of his commitment to humility.

Until his passing on April 21, Francis remained faithful to that style. His legacy was not only in his words and decisions but also in every symbol he chose to express closeness, simplicity, and coherence.

A man dressed in white religious attire walks down a cobblestone path carrying documents in his hand.

Pope Francis continued wearing the same type of footwear as always, from his shoemaker in Buenos Aires | Redacción

The Argentine craftsman who walked alongside the Pope

The black shoes that accompanied him throughout his pontificate were the work of Carlos Samaria, a renowned shoemaker from Buenos Aires.

Samaria, leader of a traditional Argentine company, crafted the footwear that Francis wore since his years as archbishop. The trust between them was so strong that, even after his election as Pope, he continued wearing them.

Samaria passed away in September 2020, but his legacy remained tied to one of the most emblematic gestures of this pontificate. With every step, the shoes he made walked alongside a leader who chose humility as a form of power.

➡️ Argentina