Papal Tailor Prepares Vestments for Next Pope Amid Conclave Uncertainty

Preparing for the Next Pontiff

• 🧵 Raniero Mancinelli, tailor to the last three popes, is preparing white vestments for the potential next pontiff.
• ❓ With the new pope's identity unknown until after the secret conclave, he is creating small, medium, and large robes to be ready at short notice.
• 🎯 He aims for at least one robe to fit reasonably well, if not perfectly, for the balcony appearance.

A Tailor's Specialization

• 📍 Mancinelli's shop, with over 60 years of history, is located in a Rome neighborhood near the Vatican and specializes in clerical attire.
• 📜 Although not formally commissioned by the Vatican yet, his shop is prepared for the task.

Pope's Vestment Preferences

• 🎭 Each pope has had distinct preferences reflected in their robes' fabric.
• 💰 Pope Francis required a fabric that was not too expensive or valuable, opting for a normal material.
• 💎 In contrast, Pope Benedict preferred more valuable, precious, and heavier fabrics.

Demand Amidst Transition

• 🚨 Mancinelli's services are in high demand, particularly with cardinals in Rome, both for the recent funeral of Pope Francis and the upcoming conclave.
• ⚠️ He has been reluctant to create new red robes for cardinals, anticipating that one of them might soon be wearing the papal white.