FALDA. — A white silk vestment, tending toward cream in color, with a long train that the pope girds at his waist and which trails on the ground. Little or nothing is known about its origins or the period when it was adopted as a papal ornament; it is now exclusively reserved for the pope. The diaries of Alexander VI (late 15th century) mention it as a garment already in use, merely regulating its use at that time.
In antiquity, there was also a woolen *falda* that the pontiff wore on ferial days and on Sundays in Advent and Lent; but at present the *falda* is made only of silk. There are two kinds: one shorter, used in secret consistories, in which the Holy Father appears in mozzetta and stole; the other, much larger, worn by the pope whenever he is vested in full pontificals. It is assumed after the rochet, in the chamber of the "falda" near the Sacristy of the Apostolic Palace. Since both kinds are much longer than the height of the person and end in a long train or train, it is necessary to lift it so that the pope may walk. Two protonotaries de numero, or two auditors of the Rota, according to the ceremonial, have the office of lifting the front edges of the *falda*, while two secret chamberlains support the side edges, and the Prince Assistant at the Throne supports the rear edge together with the papal mantle. The pope wears the *falda* whenever he assists at or solemnly celebrates Mass or Vespers, whether in the chapel of the Apostolic Palace or, formerly, in various churches of Rome; that is, in all sacred functions in which he wears pontifical vestments, such as the procession of Corpus Christi, the washing of feet, the opening and closing of the Holy Door, consistories, etc.