What is it ?
Tiara (Triregnum) - The papal crown, a costly covering for the head, ornamented with precious stones and pearls, which is shaped like a bee-hive, has a small cross at its highest point, and is also equipped with three royal diadems. On account of the three diadems it is sometimes called triregnum.
Mitre
Pallium - a circular band about two inches wide, worn about the neck, breast and shoulders, and having two pendants, one hanging down in front and one behind. The use of the pallium is reserved for the pope and archbishops, but the latter may not use it until, on petition they have received the permission of the Holy See. Worn by the pope, the pallium symbolizes the plenitude pontificalis officii (i.e. the plenitude of the pontifical office). Archbishops were permitted by the pope to wear a pallium on condition of swearing an oath of allegiance to the pope. The symbolic character now attached to the pallium dates back to the time when it was an obligation for all metropolitans [archbishops] to petition the Holy See for permission to use it.
Mozzetta - A special cape worn by the pope that is trimmed with ermine.
Sedia Gestatoria - a portable throne that is richly adorned and covered with silk. Long rods go through gold-covered rings. The throne is carried by twelve uniformed footmen. When the Pope celebrates solemn pontifical Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica, he arrives in state, preceded by a procession of cardinals, bishops, and prelates. The Pope is carried on the sedia gestatoria, with a canopy over him, and special fans made of white feathers on either side of him.
Ring of the Fisherman - Each pope wears the ring of the fisherman. It is customary for visitors to the pope to kneel and kiss the ring.
Cappa Magna - A cloak with a long train and a hooded shoulder cape... [it] was purple wool for bishops; for cardinals, it was scarlet watered silk (for Advent, Lent, Good Friday, and the conclave, purple wool); and rose watered silk for Gaudete and Laetere Sundays; and for the pope, it was red velvet for Christmas Matins, red serge at other times.
Cassock (Soutane) - The close-fitting, ankle-length robe worn by the Catholic clergy as their official garb... The color for bishops and other prelates is purple, for cardinals, scarlet...
How did it come about ?
Silvester, Bishop of Rome, was crowned by Emperor Constantine in 314. Up to this time, the Church had endured periodic persecution from the emperors. Constantine instead desired to promote Christianity. He provided Silvester with a palace and a cathedral with seven altars made of gold. Under Pope Silvester, the hierarchy of the Catholic Church began to resemble the characteristics of the Roman Empire in their pomp, luxury and attire.
The imperial papacy reached its zenith during the Middle Ages. The Popes became extremely rich, and actually claimed to rule the temporal realm. The papal crown began to be worn by the Popes from at least the 700's. Pope Gregory VII declared that the popes had the right to depose kings, and to make and revoke laws. Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) declared that he was ruler of the world. He wore a gold crown covered with jewels. Pope Boniface VII (1294-1303) claimed that he was Caesar, the Roman Emperor. He also wore a crown covered with over 200 rubies, emeralds, sapphires and large pearls.
It has also been customary for visitors to kiss the feet of the Pope. POPE PIUX IX was especially fond of this tradition, especially when he was visited by those with whom he was displeased. For solemn occasions, the pope sits on a portable throne, which is carried by twelve footmen in uniform. Pope Pius XII (1939-1958) required his officials to kneel while speaking to him, and to leave the room walking backwards. When the officials would telephone him, he required that they kneel while speaking with him.
Cardinals and bishops wear special vestments of purple and scarlet, the colors of royalty and the emperors.
Why it is wrong:
1) ...because the leaders of the church are to be servants, and are not to act like rulers and despots over their sheep;
2) ...because of the false teaching of the popes as rulers over kings and emperors;
3) ...because of the obscene and ostentatious display of wealth and superiority of the popes, cardinals and bishops.
Warnings in Scripture:
Therefore I [Peter] exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 1 Pt. 5:1-3
And there arose also a dispute among them [the apostles] as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He [Jesus] said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant."
Lk. 22:24-26
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. Rom. 13:1-2
Then he [an angel] carried me [the apostle John] away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations, and of the unclean things of her immorality. Rev. 17:3-4
