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

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.

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.

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.