Venerable Pius XII: Victorian Lion Head Chair

Description of the Chair

The carved oak chair was made between 1880 – 1900. It is believed to be from the Raven Hill Mansion, which is where, while visiting Philadelphia, Cardinal Pacelli had dinner each day.  Notice the deep, brass rings in the lion’s mouth and the detailed carving of all the wood pieces.

The most significant feature on the chair is the name plate identifying that Cardinal Pacelli actually, “occupied this chair on Oct. 20^th, 1936.”

It is simply extraordinary to have this chair as part of the Papal Artifacts Collection.

Information Connected to This Chair

Pope Pius XII did not visit the United States when he was pope but as Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli.  He made a landmark trip in 1936.  During that visit he became the highest-ranking Vatican official to ever visit the U.S., traveling extensively and meeting with President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  He was the first pope to visit the U. S. at any point in his life, but his 1936 trip occurred before his election in 1939.

The visit was a two-week tour where he traveled over 8,000 miles, including an airplane trip from coast to coast.

He met with many prominent Americans, both Catholic and non-Catholic including the President at Hyde Park.

The visit highlighted the growing importance of the relationship between the Vatican and the United States during a time of increasing international tension.

As Pope, Pius XII would maintain a close relationship with the U. S., largely through Cardinal Francis Spellman, and would continue to shape diplomatic ties between the two powers.