Paolo Penko makes the chalices for Pope Francis’ Mass in Florence

The Pope’s chalice and ciborium made by Paolo Penko and the craftsmen of Montelupo

The chalice for the liturgy that Pope Francis will preside over during his visit to Florence for the 5th National Ecclesial Conference on 10 November has been restored by Paolo Penko. It is an 18th century chalice that belonged to the Archbishop of Florence, Leone Strozzi.

 The Master Goldsmith was called upon to take care of many of the details of the celebration: he also restored the thurible and the nacelle from the early 1600s which will be visible during the Holy Mass and designed the 600 pyxes for the hosts which will be used for the distribution of Communion, made in majolica by a group of artisans from Montelupo coordinated by Marco Bitossi.

Also for the Pope’s arrival, Paolo Penko created the St John’s Cross which will be placed in front of the altar: it is a bronze cross made using the ancient lost wax casting technique. The work, tied with a burnished silver ribbon, is inspired by the cross of St John the Baptist depicted in a 1525 oil painting by Andrea del Sarto.

The Eucharistic Chalice for the Holy Father’s concelebrants also bears the signature of Paolo Penko. Made in forty pieces, based on an exclusive design and model of the Master Goldsmith, the work is made of silver-plated and gilded bronze and the knot in the centre is formed by a lapis lazuli blue majolica sphere.

The base bears a cross worked with the “penkato” technique, developed by the master goldsmith himself: a modern reinterpretation of three ancient techniques, using the diamond cutter, chisel and burin engraving.

Thanks to these, the master develops in ‘three dimensions’ the effect of engraving that would be obtained if he applied the classic Florentine technique of setato. The name ‘Penkato’ comes from the combination of his surname and the rustication characteristic of Florentine palaces.

Finally, the Solemn Gospel Book of the Florentine Church, an exact copy of which was donated to Pope Francis by the Diocese of Florence, was made by Paolo Penko for the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and will be used during Mass. The work, which represents Jesus Christ on the front, inspired by Beato Angelico’s fresco “The Transfiguration”, and the four Evangelists on the back, inspired by those represented by Donatello, is made of chased silver and engraved with a burin, and rests on a cypress wood base, with 24-carat gold highlights. The Evangeliary was printed by the “Mandragora” publishing house.