A chair fit for a pope

HAVERTOWN, Pa. - April 1, 2008 The DiCocco family's St. Jude shop carries a wide array of religious goods, but, right now, its Havertown store is also home to a chair that's attracting a lot of attention

"We've done large cathedrals and larger projects of scope, but to do the chair which the Holy Father would be using is quite unique," Louis DiCocco said.

The chair will be used by Pope Benedict during a prayer service with Catholic bishops at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on Spril 16th.

The design of the chair was turned over to Matt and John Huprich of Perkasie; they are a father and son team of master cabinet makers who specialize in church furniture and woodwork.

"No nails, we have to cut around all the knots. It came out beautiful," John Huprich said. This was the Huprich's first order to build a papal chair and pride in their work was matched by their ethnic pride; the Huprichs and the pope are German. "In thebeginning it doesn't mean much, until you realize your doing something for the Holy Father," Matt Huprich said. The chair will be packed up and delivered to Washington tomorrow. Then it will be in the hands of the secret service, examined, scanned, and locked away until the pope's arrival.