BERETTA. —
I. ECCLESIASTICAL BERETTA
It is a headdress for the clergy, originating from the need to protect oneself against the cold during choral office and processions in the open air. Already attested in the 10th century, originally it was nothing more than a simple cap, called *pileus*, and from the 14th century the *beretta* was given folds sewn in so that it could be worn more easily; with the passage of time these folds gave rise to the current form of the beretta with its brims or segments (*cornua*, *apices*) in the number of 4 for those with academic degrees, and 3 in common ecclesiastical use. The color of the beretta is red for cardinals, violet for bishops, and black for all others. The presentation of the beretta is a symbol of the investiture of a benefice. The beretta is worn on the head when performing an official or jurisdictional act. The rubrics prescribe uncovering the head as a sign of reverence toward God or superiors, and also during a proper prayer recited while kneeling or standing.II. CARDINAL’S BERETTA
It is almost identical in shape to the other berettas of the clergy, but it is red in color and has no tassel.Pope Pius IV granted the privilege of wearing it to cardinals in 1564, with the exception of religious cardinals who continued to wear it black until 1591, when Gregory XIV created cardinals the Dominicans Michele Bonelli and Girolamo Bernieri, the Conventual Costantino Sarmani, and the Augustinian Gregorio Petrochino. According to current practice, new cardinals residing in Rome receive, after the secret consistory at which they have been created, a communication indicating the day and hour when the Pope will impose the red beretta upon them in the Apostolic Palace. If the new cardinals belong to Catholic states officially in relation with the Holy See, the head of that state, provided he is of the Catholic religion, imposes the red beretta upon the new appointees; this is done by an apostolic delegate (v.).