Papal Coronation - Paul VI and The Coronation

Paul VI and The Coronation

The last pope to be crowned was Paul VI. Though he decided to cease wearing a papal tiara within weeks of his coronation, and laid his own on the altar of St. Peter's Basilica in a gesture of humility, his 1975 Apostolic Constitution, Romano Pontifici Eligendo, still prescribed that "the new pontiff is to be crowned by the senior cardinal deacon."

Nevertheless, his successor, John Paul I, opted not to be crowned and to have a less formal "solemn Mass to mark the start of his ministry as Supreme Pastor" in September 1978.