This is the most curious + inexplicable thing to have "left" - Rice has some 'splainin' to do!
"...Historically speaking, this is true! Red shoes — if not always red soles — have long been associated with issues of power and identity. During the reign of Louis XIV, only aristocratic men had the right to wear shoes with red heels — they were strictly reserved for the court. Thus the color neatly distinguished between the haves and have-nots...'
Papal Shoes are RED - I had not known that.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_shoes
Early in his pontificate Pope John Paul II wore red shoes; however he quickly adopted wearing ordinary brown shoes. Paul VI, John Paul I, and John Paul II were buried in the red leather papal shoes.
"...Pope Benedict XVI restored the use of the red papal shoes, which were provided by his personal cobbler, Adriano Stefanelli of Novara, who has several pictures and documents in his shoe-shop attesting the fact.[1][2] In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI also restored the use of the white damask silk Paschal mozzetta, which was previously worn with white silk slippers.[3]
Pope Francis has chosen to wear simple black shoes, forgoing the tradition for his papacy.[4]..."
Apparently the red shoes are a symbol of power. The links have pictures of red shoes being powerful.
FYI, as far as the Pope, the red shoes are symbolic of the Church being built on the blood of martyrs, as if he's standing in the streets running with their blood. Every time he catches sight of his feet, the shoes are supposed to remind him of the gravity of his responsibilities and humble him.