During his visit to Singapore next week, Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, will sit on two handcrafted chairs made by an Indian-origin carpenter for his inter-religious dialogue sessions.

According to the Unity Hope website, Indian-origin Govindharaj Muthiah along with Singaporeans Roseline Tan made the “thrones” for the Pope.

“The designs were kept simple, and the lines clean, so as not to distract from the liturgical celebration. Besides, Pope Francis, being a man of simplicity, would not have wanted anything fancy. The focus is kept on God as the centre of the Eucharistic celebration, from whom all good things come,” Roseline said, according to the website.

Muthiah reportedly said that he was surprised when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore contacted him in late July, offering an ‘exciting addition to his CV’.

Despite completing two “100% handmade” chairs in just a month, the reality of the assignment still hadn't sunk in for Muthiah.

Pope Francis will visit Singapore between September 11 and 13 as the final stop of his Asia-Pacific tour, marking his longest trip away from the Vatican since becoming the leader of the global Catholic Church in 2013.

The chairs will be used during the interreligious dialogue  with youth at Catholic Junior College.

Pope’s itinerary also include meeting Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, presiding over mass at the National Stadium.

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