Pontifical Dalmatics (Church)

Pontifical dalmatics are special liturgical vestments worn by bishops and other prelates under the chasuble during solemn Masses. Unlike regular dalmatics worn by deacons, pontifical dalmatics are richly decorated and signify the bishop’s fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders. They are typically adorned with ornate designs and made from high-quality materials, emphasizing the solemnity and authority of the bishop’s role in the liturgy. Wearing the dalmatic under the chasuble highlights the bishop’s diaconal and priestly roles combined.