Finishing touches are being made to two thrones to seat President George Abela and Pope Benedict XVI, who arrives on Saturday.

The two cathedrae were designed by Carlo Schembri, who passed on the template to sculptors Victor and Carmelo Mansueto who fashioned the thrones out of solid tulip wood.

The thrones are undergoing paintwork prior to the gilding process. Paint work and silk and velvet upholstery is in the hands of Paul Camilleri from Camilleri Paris Mode.

Describing the concept of the designs for the two thrones,

Mr Schembri said they were inspired by the symbols usually associated with St Paul such as the snake, the flame and the sword.

"The dimensions of Pope Benedict's cathedra were based on the ergonomics of His Holiness as prescribed by the Vatican."

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