POPE LEO XIV
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The world has become accustomed to seeing the Roman Pontiff wearing a white cassock wherever he goes. While this has been the tradition in recent history, popes did not always wear white.
In fact, red was the papal color for many centuries, as the following article from L'Osservatore Romano points out:
[I]t may come as a surprise that the first "article of the pope's clothing" mentioned in the sources is the red "mantle" [cope], a word that Dante puts on the lips of Pope Nicholas III permitting him to introduce himself: "know that I was cloaked in the great mantle" (Inferno, XIX 69). This confirms that for Dante the red mantle was the garment that distinguished the pope's office better than any other.
Popes were associated with red and royal purple for many centuries, as it was to be a reminder of the cloak that was put over Jesus after his scourging.
It was a reminder of Jesus' suffering and his ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
White cassock
Wearing a white cassock didn't become popular until 13th century. Pope Gregory X (1272–1273), established a ceremonial where a newly elected pope would wear a white cassock.
Furthermore, Agostino Patrizi Piccolomini in the 14th century wrote the following:
When dressed in non-sacred attire, the pope must only wear red on top of the rochet: beneath the rochet the pope must always wear the white robe and red socks, and sandals decorated with golden crosses.
By the time Pope Pius V was chosen to be the successor of St. Peter in the 16th century, there were already three centuries of tradition behind popes wearing white.
It is true that Pope Pius V was a Dominican and his religious order's habit was also white. He kept wearing his white religious habit as pope, thus solidifying the connection between the white cassock and the papal office.
William Duranti in the 13th century provides for us the symbolism of the white cassock:
[T]he Supreme Pontiff always appears dressed in a red cloak. Beneath it, however, he wears a white vestment: because white signifies innocence and charity; the external red symbolizes compassion... in fact the Pope represents the person of the One who for our sake stained his clothing red.
Recent popes have kept this tradition and it is expected that any future pope will retain the symbolism of wearing a white cassock.
