Bergoglio breaks with the Tradition of blessing the Lambs in the Feast of Saint Agnes whose wool was to be used for the elaboration of the pallium of the new bishops in the Feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul

"The pallium is a white wool vestment, emblazoned with six black silk crosses. Metropolitan archbishops wear it on their shoulders over their chasuble. The wearing of the pallium dates back to at least the fifth century".

Form and use of the modern pallium

The modern pallium is 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 pendants are about two inches wide and twelve inches long, and are weighted with small pieces of lead covered with black silk. The remainder of the pallium is made of white wool, part of which is supplied by two lambs presented annually as a tax by the Lateran Canons Regular to the Chapter of St. John on the feast of St. Agnes, solemnly blessed on the high altar of that church after the pontifical Mass, and then offered to the pope. The ornamentation of the pallium consists of six small black crosses — one each on the breast and back, one on each shoulder, and one on each pendant. The crosses on the breast, back, and left shoulder are provided with a loop for the reception of a gold pin set with a precious stone. The pallium is worn over the chasuble.

Bergoglio didn't want to receive the lambs for the traditional blessing on St. Agnes' Day