Tiara of Pope John Paul II

Papal tiara of John Paul II on coin

The Tiara of Pope John Paul II, known also as the Hungarian Tiara, was the most recent known Papal tiara extant, until a new tiara was presented to Pope Benedict XVI on 25 May 2011. It was donated to Pope John Paul II in 1981. Pope John Paul II never wore this or any other tiara during his papacy.

Details

There are no details as to exactly who in Hungary (either the state, the Catholic Church in Hungary, a diocese or an individual) donated the tiara, though one anti-Catholic website stated that the Hungarian tiara was a gift from "the people of Hungary" (Previous papal tiaras were often given in the name of a country or organisation, despite these having been paid for and chosen by private individuals or organisations).^{[citation needed]} Though rumoured to exist, it is only in the 21st century that its existence was confirmed when photographs of the tiara were published.

Photographs suggest that this tiara, unlike most ones, features no lappets.

Use and location

As no pope has worn a papal tiara since Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II made the practice optional later, the Hungarian Tiara remains unworn. It is also unconfirmed as to whether it is currently in the Papal Sacristy in the Vatican alongside the other papal tiaras. Photographs do however show it displayed in the distinctive form used by the Papal Sacristy to display its collection of papal tiaras.