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The Papal Cross

also known as the Salem Cross and the Maronite Cross

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The Papal Cross

The Papal Cross

Pope John Paul II with a Papal Cross

The Papal Cross (or Pastoral Staff) is an official emblem of the Papal Office.

The pope uses several cross types in the course of his regular duties, including the crucifix, Latin Cross, fabulous jewelled crosses and an odd one with a bent cross-beam (see separate page on the Pope's Cross).

The three-barred Papal Cross shown on this page is used only for extraordinary ceremonial occasions, such as opening the Holy Door. And whilst the occasion might include some sort of procession, this cross is not strictly speaking a Processional Cross; rather, it is used as an archbishop would use his crozier1.

Like the Byzantine Cross, the bars symbolise the titulus at the top for the sign-board, patibulum in the middle for the victims arms, and suppedaneum beneath for the feet. They also correspond to several ecclesiological positions, including:

• the Pope's triple roles as leader of worship, teacher and community leader
• the Pope's triple religious authorities as Bishop of Rome, Patriarch of the West, and successor of St Peter, Chief of the Apostles
• the Pope's powers and responsibilities: temporal, spiritual, and material
• the Pope's extra bar of authority over the two-bar Archiepiscopal or Patriarchal cross

and tenets, such as:

• the three theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love2
• the Trinity

This latter interpretation is favoured by the Maronite Catholic Church, which also uses this three-beamed cross design. These Catholics are followers of St. Maron and the church has, for the past few hundred years, been centred in Lebanon, which is predominantly Muslim.

Lebanese flag

Coincidentally, the cross with three bars has similarities with the cedar tree3 seen in the Lebanese national flag4.

In the 18th century the Maronites used a white flag with a cedar tree in the centre. Later, the red stripes were added giving us the flag we see today. (See also Lebanese Forces Cross)

In Freemasonry, the three-barred5 cross is known as a Salem Cross and like the St. Gilbert Cross, often depicted leaning to the right or to the left.

Like the Papal Cross, the Freemason's three-barred Salem Cross signifies the ultimate rank of the wearer. (See also Cross and Crown.)

The Papal Cross, also known as the Salem Cross and the Maronite Cross

An earlier Papal Cross

Another three-barred cross, known variously as the Eastern Orthodox or Byzantine Cross

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