The biretta is a square cap with three or four peaks or horns, sometimes surmounted by a tuft. Traditionally the three-peaked biretta is worn by Christian clergy, especially Roman Catholic clergy, as
A traditional black biretta.
The "Spanish version" of the biretta, from the Philippi Collection
Archbishop Julian Porteous of Hobart wearing an amaranth biretta
Cardinal Angelo Scola wearing a scarlet watered silk biretta
A galero is a broad-brimmed hat with tasselated strings which was worn by clergy in the Catholic Church. Over the centuries, the red galero was restricted to use by individual cardinals while such oth
Biretta
…and made of silk, with no tuft or "pom". Since the Second Vatican Council, cardinals are given their birettas and zucchetti (in place of the previous galero hat) by the Pope at their investment consistory, forming a line and kneeling before him. The biretta of a bishop is amaranth color, while those worn…
A cardinal's hat worn by St Jerome, depicted c. 1625 by Rubens
Pius XII placing the galero upon the head of a cardinal at a consistory.
The galero of the late Cardinal Owen McCann hangs from the roof of St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Town, South Africa.
Archbishop Giovanni Colombo wearing a galero with ten green tassels on each side (c. 1965)