Joe Mizzi was so thrilled to be asked to build the papal throne used by Pope John Paul II in 2001 that he propped the chair frame outside his shop with a placard saying: “This chair is to be used by the Pope”.

“It was the highlight of my career. I am so proud to have been asked to build something which, from today, will gain an even more powerful significance,” says the 54-year-old master carpenter who owns Queen Anne Furniture workshop in Msida.

In 2000, Mr Mizzi was asked construct four papal thrones to be used by the ailing Pope during his second visit to Malta in May 2001.

All four, that had to be made according to strict measurements supplied by the Vatican, were built out of solid mahogany, with one of them being given an ivory finish. The back, seat and sides were upholstered in white silk.

I am so proud to have been asked to build something which, from today, will gain an even more powerful significance

“The chairs were designed in a manner which would help the Pope to stand up, so even though he was reclining, he was nearly in a standing position so he wouldn’t require a lot of effort to get back on his feet,” Mr Mizzi explains.

His work was so highly esteemed that one of the thrones was taken to the Vatican.

Mr Mizzi claims he recognises his chair among similar ones whenever he catches a glimpse of it on some TV programme.

“I recognise it mainly from the curve of the arm and the carvings on it – it’s hard to explain.”