New Pope 2013: 266th Pope’s New Wardrobe Already Awaits

If there is anybody or any entity more than prepared to welcome the new 266^th pope of the Roman Catholic church, that must be the family-owned Gammarelli tailor shop which has dressed the papacy ever since the 18th century.

So prepared is this shop found in Rome, Italy that is has unveiled in its window shop the vestments for the next pope, in three designs and sizes as well as other trimmings befit for the much-awaited spiritual leader.

"We have prepared three vestments in white wool, a stole, red loafers, a skullcap, as well as a red velvet cape with a white fur border since it's winter," Lorenzo Gammarelli told AFP.

Although still not quite sure of the body built of the upcoming pope, "we can always adapt the vestments," Mr Gammarelli said, noting that the three white cassocks are made with 100 per cent wool, while the sleeves are made with silk.

The red mozzetta which the pope will use over his shoulders is made of velvet.

"The measurements are one small, one medium and one large, because we don't know who will be the next Pope and because we need to make at least one that fits well."

Another tricky thing is the pope's loafers, "The next pope cannot wear shoes that are not his size so we will offer all sizes," he said.

"We are providing more than three pairs of shoes because you can adjust a cassock or a suit but you must wear the right size shoes."

Every vestment or cassock is made by hand, Mr Gammarelli said, which took the tailors working on it about three and a half days. And with Pope Benedict XVI's surprise abdication, the Gammarelli tailors had to work double time to ensure the vestments are already well prepared in advance before a new pope is elected.

"We received the order a few days after Benedict declared that he was going to resign and we finished on Friday, so we took quite a while," he said.

The new three sets of white vestments are ready to be shipped to the Vatican.

"We need to deliver these three garments before the conclave starts because obviously we cannot enter inside the conclave once it started," Mr Gammarelli said.