What is the conferring of a pallium? What is it about? What is its purpose?\nThe conferring of the pallium is the liturgical act by which a metropolitan archbishop receives a distinctive sign, which he wears during solemn celebrations in his diocese and can wear during celebrations in other dioceses of his province. This pallium, whose use dates back to the 6th century in the Church, is worn over the chasuble around the neck. It is a piece of white fabric marked with five black crosses. The wool to make them comes from lambs blessed by the Pope on St. Agnes' Day. The palliums, before being conferred on the archbishops on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, are placed at the Confession of Peter in St. Peter's in Rome. The pallium is a symbol of close communion between the Pope and the archbishops. Pope Benedict XVI also emphasized that it evokes the yoke of Christ.\nWhat is its significance? Is it a sign of authority and communion?\nThe liturgical formula for the imposition of the pallium speaks for itself: "Receive the pallium taken from the tomb of Peter ... so that you may wear it as a sign of your authority as metropolitan ... let it be for you a symbol of unity, testimony of your communion with the apostolic see, bond of charity and incentive for your strength of soul." Authority, unity, communion, bond of charity, and strength of soul, all reflect the richness of this symbolism.\nHow does a ceremony unfold?\nVarious situations can occur. In principle, the new archbishop who receives the pallium can do so on the day of his ordination or installation in his cathedral. But this is not always possible due to calendar issues, as the pallium is conferred in Rome on June 29, the day of Saints Peter and Paul, privately to new metropolitans.\nTherefore, the celebration may take place at another time when the Apostolic Nuncio will impose it on the archbishop's shoulders during a solemn celebration. The archbishop receives the pallium kneeling after professing faith and saying the particular oath of obedience to the faith of the Church and the successor of Peter.\nCan you tell us why the conferring of the pallium no longer takes place in Rome but territorially in the dioceses?\nIt was Pope Francis who, at the beginning of 2015, decided to change the procedure for conferring the pallium. Previously it was conferred by the Pope at St. Peter's in Rome on the day of Saints Peter and Paul. Now, on this occasion, archbishops receive the pallium privately from the Pope's hands. But the imposition of the pallium is then done in the archbishop's cathedral amidst the people entrusted to him by the Apostolic Nuncio. The presence of other bishops of the Province at this celebration is also a very strong sign of unity and solicitude to work for the good of the Church and the faithful.