Antarte creates chair, ambo and altar for Pope Leo XIV
Portuguese brand strengthens its historic ties with the Vatican by creating pieces for the Holy Father's official visit to Angola
Antarte once again crosses paths with the history of the Holy See by creating the chair, the ambo and the altar that will be used by Pope Leo XIV during his official visit to Angola, from April 18 to 21. This is the fourth project by the Portuguese brand for the Vatican, consolidating its prestige in the creation of pieces of high institutional symbolism.
Under the creative direction of Mário Rocha, founder and CEO of Antarte, the design of the pieces was conceived to balance the sobriety required by the Vatican's guidelines with the timeless style that defines the brand.
Production Mastery
The execution of the pieces represents a fusion between Antarte's production expertise and Angolan raw materials. The ambo and the altar were crafted in Angolan longui wood with accents in pink limestone, extracted near Nossa Senhora da Muxima. The upholstery of the chair uses natural fibres, such as cotton and linen, produced on artisanal looms, respecting the Vatican's specifications. The front section of the chair features a pink limestone detail, similar to that of the ambo and the altar. The project mobilised a multidisciplinary team of 12 professionals, totalling more than 160 hours of work.
A Prestigious Track Record
This collaboration marks the fourth time Antarte has delivered projects for the Vatican. In 2010, it produced the rest chair for Pope Benedict XVI, for the pontiff's visit to Porto on May 14 of that year. In 2023, the Portuguese brand brought to life an art installation of 12 sculptures designed by architect Siza Vieira, for the Vatican Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. In 2024, it created the chair used by Pope Francis during his official visit to Timor-Leste.
For Mário Rocha, founder and CEO of Antarte, «the invitation to produce the pieces that will compose the space where Pope Leo XIV's homily will be celebrated was impossible to decline. For a brand with only 27 years of history, it is an immense pride to complete the fourth project for the Vatican. It is an achievement that demonstrates Antarte's ability to deliver significant international projects.»
Rebordosa (Paredes), April 9, 2026