Umbraculum

thumb|Coat of arms during the sede vacante – featuring an umbraculum thumb|upright|Umbraculum in the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France The umbraculum ( in Latin, "umbrella"; , "big umbrella", in basilicas also conopaeum) is a historic piece of the papal regalia and insignia, once used on a daily basis to provide shade for the pope. Also known as the pavilion, in modern usage the umbraculum is a symbol of the Catholic Church and the authority of the pope over it. It is found in the contemporary Church at all the basilicas throughout the world, placed prominently at the right of their main a