A chair fit for Pope Francis, built by prisoners in Philadelphia

Philadelphia officials are urging pilgrims to come see Pope Francis and are pressing businesses to stay open during the papal visit.

Inmates in Philadelphia are making a chair for Pope Francis ahead of his upcoming visit with prisoners in September.

The chair is said to have been made from walnut.

The final stain is applied by inmates at the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center.

At a prison workshop on Monday, inmates worked to sand and refinish the wooden chair, which stands almost 6 feet tall. Prisoners were picked based on work ethic, skill and reliability. PhilaCor’s carpentry shop employs an average of 18 inmates daily and, in addition to Francis’ gift, makes 70 pieces of furniture each month.

Pope Francis will have a nice place to sit when he meets with Philadelphia prisoners next month. “I know it will mean so much to so many”.

“The fact that I got the privilege to do the chair is good enough even if I never see him sit in the chair”, Anthony Newman, assistant director of the vocational program said. Soon, it will be sent to nearby Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility to be upholstered by other inmates. Many faiths will be represented, officials said.

This resource will provide residents with a wide-ranging overview of information related to the World Meeting of Families Congress (Sept. 22-25) and Papal Visit (Sept. 26-27). His public events include a speech at Independence Hall, a family festival and an outdoor Mass.