A Framed Portion of Silk Wall Covering
Pope St John XXIII’s Papal Apartment
Vatican Relic
Gifted by Cardinal Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, Vatican Secretary of State from 1961-1969, to Fr. Timothy Champoux of Massachusetts in 1978, this is a framed portion of the silk wall covering of Pope St. John XXIII’s papal apartment.
The damask wall covering depicts Pope St. John XXIII’s papal coat of arms.
Included with the wall covering is one depicting Pope John and President Eisenhower meeting at the Vatican in which the wall covering is clearly visible behind them.
The piece measures 27.5”x42” and was professionally framed for ease of viewing and display.
There are tons of pics online with Popes John XXIII and Paul VI with heads of state and presidents with the wall linen in the background.
Father Richard Kunst, Curator:
I remember very well reading how Pope John XXIII lived in a separate apartment when he was elected until the private quarters were renovated.
There are several photos of Popes John XXIII and Paul VI meeting headsof state with this wall linen in the background. One of them, President Eisenhower, is featured below with Pope John XXIII.
Afterwards, Pope John Paul II also had the apartments renovated, so this linen was on the walls from 1958-1978.
Super cool. I am very excited about this item.
It is a one-of-a-kind piece of papal history, and to my knowledge no other portion of this exists.–Father Richard Kunst
