RULES OF PROTOCOL AND ETIQUETTE

Meeting the Pope: How to dress and behave appropriate

On the occasion of the Holy Father's meeting with representatives of civil society, politics, science, culture, entrepreneurship and the Diplomatic Corps at the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, on Saturday 4th June it is recommended to dress very formally (dark suite), but national costumes or ceremonial military uniforms are also apropriate.

Dark suite for reception at the National Theatre

Given the event's festivity and time of happening (at 18.15 hours) one should follow the rule "more festive and later the event, darker the clothes". Optimal clothing for men would be a dark suit, which also determines the appropriate clothing for women. Regardless of all, it should be decent and solemn clothing. With a combination of black and white we can never be wrong. With this combination we express respect for the person and the event. Clothing should be consistent with the appearance, and personality ought to be designated by decent details, so we will not be uniformed. Intrusive clothing for this occasion would be indecent and tasteless. It is absolutely inappropriate to wear short skirts, narrow clothing, or eccentric pattern or cut.

For men with a dark suit it is recommended to wear appropriate ceremonial shirt in a shade of white (milk, snow or ice) with an appropriate and in no way remarkable but decent tie, preferably inconspicuous or very small sample.

For women on this occasion it is advisable to wear a dress or two-part costume, or little black dress but no shorter than Chanell, one that covers knees and elbows. Certainly we will not go wrong with the full lenght sleeve, but it would be wrong without sleeves. Clothing should be  without cleavage, no clear or bare back. Of course, socks, sandals or closed-toes shoes are obligatory. As for the heels, they can be flat or moderate level. Of course, we should take account of hairstyle, perfume, make up and jewelry that needs to be carefully selected.

Allowed colours

Certainly there will not be any colorful dresses, and absolutely inappropriate would be to choose liturgical vestments colors: white, red and green.  Yellow color is also not suitable because it is the color of the Holy Father.

The former rule that a woman on the occasion of meeting the Holy Father has her head covered, Vatican protocol doesn't explicitly request any more. However, experience tells me that women from the Diplomatic Corps will surely have their head covered with a lace veil, as they did for the past three apostolic visits of  Pope John Paul II.

Specifically, with regard to the rules of dress that after six o'clock in the afternoon women do not wear hats, it would be appropriate to cover head with a black lace veil, that can be found in  the Vatican special stores. This veil can only be put over the head, attached by two pins and let fall to the side. The veil is not to be tied under the chin. Such a method of covering the head is common in the audience with the Holy Father. However, I must say that for the three previous Pope's visit to Croatia, where I participated as part of the protocol, and the last time, in year 2003, I was Director of State Protocol, the Vatican protocol did not determine the veil. Even when we were by the Holy Father at the Vatican. Despite the fact that the Vatican protocol did not require it, the wives of diplomats and the women diplomats had always headgear - hats or lace veils, depending on whether it was the time in day when they can wear hats. And on the audience at other times, such as the celebration of the Millennium, female diplomats and diplomat's spouses could be clearly discerned in the ceremonial lodge because all of them had covered the head. As a sign of respect they have applied the traditional way of clothing and covered their heads with veils, even though the Vatican protocol didn't require it.

 
Dress code at the night vigil

Young people at the meeting with the Holy Father and the night vigil in the selection of clothing should count on the large temperature differences during the day, so they should dress appropriately and warmly. Young people can choose to wear pants. I don't think it appropriate to come to the Holy Mass wearing jeans, but considering that it is young people, if they wear jeans it must be clean, neat and not torn and worn, as they could possibly dress  to go out at night. Everyone will be wearing the most tasty options available, and so discreetly show  how important this is to them.

Regardless of that the Holy Mass is to be held at the Hippodrome,  the title Holy Mass suggests that we should be dressed decently. Due to the announced hot weather, and there will be a long stand, clothes should be comfortable. It can never be dresses or shirts without sleeves ( the shortest to the elbow) or a deep neckline. We must not look like we are going out or, even worse, to the beach. Also, clothing should not be challenging, too narrow, with bare back. It is not suitable for the customary Holy Mass and especially not for one of such solemnity.

Officials and diplomats in the grand lodges can be dressed in bright colors, because the Holy Mass is to be held during the day. Choosing color is a little more free than at the National theatre reception, but in any case it is very formal dressing: it may be daily nuances of colours, for example, grey, ice blue, blue, with a corresponding formal shirt and tie. It can also be blazer with fine trousers and suitable formal shirt and tie.

Kissing the Pope's ring

It is important to remind those who will be sitting on the grand stands not sit with their legs crossed, as is usual in women but not healthy, and that during the Eucharist is not only inappropriate, but rude.

Lucky ones who will have the opportunity to be presented to the Holy Father on this occasion, if they are religious, will kiss the ring on Holly Father's right hand. This is not a regulation and is not required, but the grace that is provided and with which a believer receives forgiveness of sins. This can be done also if a person is not religious, as a sign of honoring the Holy Father. It is common for the Catholics to kiss the cross, the picture of Jesus, the Pope's ring, cardinal's ring and the bishop's ring.