With the weight of world peace and numerous pressing responsibilities, Pope Leo XIV can at least rest assured knowing that he never has to ponder where to procure his socks.

Located on Rome’s Via di Santa Chiara, just a short distance east of Vatican City, Sartoria Gammarelli has been the go-to source for ecclesiastical apparel since 1798. This family-run business has been the official tailor to the head of the Catholic Church for over two centuries.

Anyone curious about the origin of the Pope’s finest hosiery need look no further. Gammarelli specializes in crafting traditional papal garments and accessories, including handmade socks made from superior materials. Each completed pair is delicately wrapped in fine tissue paper and sent directly to the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Leo is set to wear the same style of knee-high red or white socks every day, a choice guided more by longstanding tradition than personal taste. Each pair is custom-made for him by Gammarelli’s lead tailor, continuing a legacy established by his predecessors. Wearing these luxuriously woven silk socks is undoubtedly a unique benefit of his papal duties.

Preparations for the Pope’s personal wardrobe likely commenced long before the conclave’s votes were finalized. During the papal election, Gammarelli garners as much attention as the smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel. Ahead of the election, the shop showcases three freshly tailored papal garments—ranging from cassock to mozzetta cape—in various sizes in its display windows.

The tailors at Gammarelli stand ready to deliver these outfits, including measurement adjustments, directly to Vatican City. They are responsible for fitting and dressing the new pope for his inaugural public appearance. Unlike other clients, the Pope enjoys this exceptional service.

Visitors from around the globe, including priests and fashion enthusiasts—like Vogue’s global editor at large, Hamish Bowles—frequent Gammarelli to acquire their own pairs of socks, available in colors corresponding to the Catholic liturgical calendar: green for ordinary time, purple for Lent and Advent, and red for Pentecost. A selection of scarlet, black, and violet socks can also be found on their online platform.

However, it is only the Pope who dons the exclusive white styles. His distinct uniform remains sacred and consistent. Much like Steve Jobs with his signature black turtlenecks and Barack Obama with his standard blue or gray suits, the Pope recognizes that freeing himself from the decision of morning attire allows him to dedicate greater focus to his spiritual responsibilities.