Italian Tailor Raniero Mancinelli Dresses Popes Over 50 Years

Raniero Mancinelli, a Rome-based tailor with over 60 years of experience, has crafted vestments for multiple popes including John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, and is likely preparing garments for Pope Leo XIV's installation Mass. His atelier, located near the Vatican, is a family tradition with his daughter and grandson continuing the craft using vintage sewing machines and irons, emphasizing the significance and continuity of this sacred tailoring. The garments Mancinelli creates, including cassocks and papal robes, hold deep ceremonial importance, symbolizing the papacy's heritage and spiritual authority. Meanwhile, genealogical research into Pope Leo XIV reveals a complex American family history, connecting him to Creole heritage from New Orleans and a colorful past involving his paternal grandparents in Chicago, which resonates with many Americans. This blend of tradition, personal history, and craftsmanship highlights the intersection of heritage and faith as Pope Leo XIV prepares to begin his papacy.