The papal tiara is a crown that is worn by popes of the Catholic Church from as early as the 8th century to the mid–20th century. It was last used by Pope Paul VI in 1963, and only at the beginning of his reign.
A papal tiara adorned with sapphires, rubies, emeralds and other gems, at the St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.
Pope Innocent III (1198–1216) in early papal tiara. Fresco at the Benedictine monastery at Sacro Speco [it], about 1219
Pietra dura mosaic depicting Pope Clement VIII wearing a tiara with three crowns
Tiara presented to Pope Benedict XVI in 2011 by some German Catholics (see above) but not used by him
A crown is a traditional form of head adornment, or hat, worn by monarchs as a symbol of their power and dignity. A crown is often, by extension, a symbol of the monarch's government or items endorsed by it. The word itself is used, particularly in Commonwealth countries, as an abstract name for the monarchy itself, as distinct from the individual who inhabits it. A specific type of crown is employed in heraldry under strict rules. Indeed, some monarchies never had a physical crown, just a heraldic representation, as in the constitutional kingdom of Belgium.
Imperial Crown of Kingdom of Sicily (Crown of Constance of Aragon, Cathedral of Palermo).
Imperial Crown (Benkan) of Emperor Kōmei of Japan
Imperial Crown of Austria
Imperial Crown of Russia, 2012 replica