Cardinal Angelo Scola receives pallium today

The Pope gave the pallium to the new archbishop of Milan, Angelo Cardinal Scola earlier today. The pallium is a symbol of communion between the wearer (normally metropolitan archbishops) the pope. Hence, it is more ecclesial in nature than liturgical, though the pallium is rarely worn outside of the celebration of the Mass. He can give it whenever and to whomever he wants. Custom of recent years is that the pope gives the pallium to those metropolitans who request it on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Nevertheless, this is a novel event that indicates a personal relationship between the cardinal and the pope.