Pope Francis’ special New York chair unveiled

The chair that Pope Francis will use when he celebrates Mass in New York was unveiled on Wednesday. The large, solid oak chair features dark trim and the seat, back and arm rests are covered with white canvas.

The papal chair was unveiled to the media at Madison Square Garden where the Pope will lead Mass during his visit to New York on September 25th.

“He wanted something very simple. He wanted something wooden. He didn’t want any designs. So we’re very grateful to the workers. We are very proud of what that represents,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York.

“I am not going to sit on it because it would be bad luck. The first person to sit in that will be our Holy Father.”

The chair was constructed by immigrant day laborers in upstate New York. According to a statement from the Archdiocese, Cardinal Dolan chose the workers “in keeping with Pope Francis’ emphasis on respecting workers, immigrants, and those on the margins of society.”

The laborers who made the chair will meet with the pontiff in New York. Cardinal Dolan explained the importance of the papal chair during the news conference.

“A chair is very important in Catholic imagination. It represents unity and teaching authority. The man who occupies the chair of St. Peter is our Holy Father the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. So, wherever, he goes, you want to have an important chair. Just like I have a chair in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.”

According to the Archdiocese, the prayers during the Mass at Madison Square Garden will focus on themes of peace and justice. Pope Francis will preach in both English and Spanish. Other prayers will be spoken in Gaelic, Polish, German, Tigrinya and Italian.

The mass, to be held on September 25^th, 2015 is set to attract over 20,000 people from all of the parishes and ministries in the United States.

Just outside of Madison Square Garden, finishing touches were being made on the side of a skyscraper on a sign to welcome Pope Francis to the United States.