The Pope's Chair

Pope Benedict XVI will be using several chairs during his visit, but the Philadelphia Inquirer has this story on the chair being used by the Pope at his meeting with U.S. bishops at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

The wooden chair was designed by the DiCocco Family's St. Jude Shop in Havertown and was commissioned by the Shrine's rector, Monsignor Walter Rossi. After its use, it will be displayed at the Shrine.

The Inquirer has these details about the chair:

Rossi laid out the specifications: The chair had to reflect the pope's status as global leader of the Catholic church. It had to blend with the crypt of the basilica, which would act as backdrop.

"It had to have [the pope's] coat of arms," DiCocco said. "It had to be stately. It had to suggest that he is the shepherd, the leader. It had to be unique - and worthy."

At the same time, the chair couldn't be too massive or ostentatious, the men agreed.

The two finally settled on a chair 5 feet, 9 inches high with a simple back and rounded arms. On the sides would be the raised image of a cross in matching wood.

The two flanking chairs would be similar, but not as tall or ornate. The kneelers would be plain, with cushioning for the pope's knees.

The men picked American walnut for its strength and beauty. They selected elegant ivory damask, a mixture of silk and wool imported from Belgium, for the seat and back cushions.

For the wood finish, the two decided on a quick-drying lacquer, with a hard surface.

"We didn't want anything glossy," DiCocco said. "It really complements the wood."