A text of the Holy Father's homily is available here.

A pallium is a circular band of white wool with two pendants, one hanging down in front and one behind. The pendants are weighted with small pieces of lead covered with black silk. The ornamentation on 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 symbolizes the twin responsibilities of shepherding the flock entrusted to each metropolitan archbishop and fostering communion with the vicar of Christ.

On January 21, the Feast of St. Agnes, the pope blesses two baby lambs. One is crowned with white roses to signify her virginity and the other is crowned with red roses to signify martyrdom. After the pope blesses these lambs, they are transferred to a farm where a Vatican shepherd nurtures them. Near the end of May, the lambs’ wool coats are removed. Religious sisters make the pallia from this wool. The finished pallia are then placed in a cask in St. Peter’s Basilica and remain there until June 29.

On June 29, the feast of Ss. Peter and Paul, the Pope celebrated Mass with the new archbishops. After the homily, the Pope placed the pallia on the shoulders of each archbishop. This signifies the responsibility that each archbishop assumes to shepherd the flock of Christ entrusted to him.

The week-long Pallium Pilgrimage included Masses at St. Maria in Trastevere, Gesu Church, St. Ignatius, and St. Peter's Basilica. The pilgrims toured the Vatican Museum, ancient Rome and Christian Rome. A day-long tour of Assisi, including Mass at St. Francis Basilica, also was part of the pilgrimage.