In the photo can be seen Alfred Cardinal Bengsch of Berlin in St. Peter's Square. The wind happens to have blown his tippet (shoulder-cape) up, revealing his false half-sleeves, a time-honored custom for the costume of prelates until the changes of 1969.
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The half-sleeves were adorned customarily with five buttons enclosing the sleeve. Perhaps the reason for this was for the cuffs to be easily replaced, probably when stained with ink blotches from writing with quills and fountain pens.
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| An example from Argentina |
The changes were promulgated on March 31, 1969 in the Instruction on the Dress of Cardinals, Bishops and Other Prelates that was issued by the Papal Secretariate of State and approved by Pope Paul VI. The relevant section reads:
"2. The use is also continued of the black cassock with trimmings, lining, buttonholes and buttons of red silk, but without the upper half-sleeves."
The upper sleeves were therefore no longer required for prelates, but have still been seen on the papal zimarra with Paul VI, the early years of the Pontificate of John Paul II, and during the reign of Benedict XVI before his retirement.
And the style from Brazil, can be seen below.
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| An example from Brazil |
Source of the Vatican Instruction: Instruction.
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| An example from Italy |
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