PM Albanese's Hat Breaks Protocol at Papal Inauguration

Prime Minister Albanese's Hat Sparks Debate at Papal Inauguration ROME, ITALY – May 18, 2025 – A surprising detail from Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass has sparked a discussion about protocol and tradition. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was seen wearing a hat during the ceremony, a deviation from the usual attire expected at such events. The video, published by Sunrise, shows Albanese sitting amongst the congregation in his suit and Akubra hat. "Is that typical protocol, wearing a hat for a mass like that?" one commentator questions in the video. Another responds, "I would say absolutely not, but of course, the sun was very bad." The incident has generated online debate, with some questioning whether the heat justified the breach of tradition, while others highlight the significance of the event itself. The Prime Minister's office has not yet commented on the matter. The video's popularity suggests widespread interest in this unusual occurrence, highlighting the intersection of politics and religious observance.