We are proud to share with you an exceptional story that combines tradition and culture.
Recently, YVY was asked to make a personalized mate gourd for Pope Francis .
This prestigious and unique project allowed us to demonstrate our know-how while honoring a religious figure of great stature.
In this article we tell you the story of this special gourd and how we managed to meet the demands of the Pope's advisors .
Summary
Who is Pope Francis?
Jorge Mario Bergoglio , known as Pope Francis , is the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church and Bishop of Rome. Elected in March 2013, he is the first Pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit Pope. Known for his humility, simplicity, and commitment to the poor, Pope Francis is a strong advocate for social justice and ecology.
Originally from Argentina, Pope Francis grew up in a culture where mate is very present . The South American drink, often shared between friends and family, is a symbol of conviviality and solidarity .
That is why we were not surprised when his advisors sought to offer him a personalized mate gourd, an object that is both symbolic and functional . In fact, he often appears in public with a mate gourd.
The process of creating the gourd
The story begins when one of Pope Francis' advisors contacted our company directly.
Knowing our reputation for creating artisanal mate gourds, he tasked us with designing a unique gourd. Without further ado, we set to work with our partner artisan, Cristian.
Design and conception
The first step in this prestigious project was to understand the expectations of the Pope's advisers. So we held a meeting to discuss it.
For the advisers, it was crucial that the gourd reflect not only the Argentine culture dear to Pope Francis, but also the values he defends.
They chose to incorporate crests and flags such as the Vatican flag , the Jesuit crest and the crest of his favorite football team , San Lorenzo.
They wanted to add to the ferrule of the gourd the motto of Pope Francis “ Miserando Atque Eligendo ”, meaning “ Chosen because forgiven ”.
Finally, they wanted several Saints to be inscribed on the mate gourd. So we opted for a laser inscription directly on the leather.
The Mate Gourd for Pope Francis
Choice of materials
For this project, we did not deviate from our habits and selected materials of the highest quality.
The gourd was made from a natural Brazilian gourd, carefully selected for its durability and aesthetics , to make it an imperial gourd .
Of course, like all our imperial gourds, alpaca was selected for the hooping, and bronze was used for the crests, flags and inscriptions on the hooping.
Our craftsman, Cristian, has put all his know-how into the manufacture of this mate gourd. Each step, from the preparation of the gourd to the application of the ornaments, has been carried out with extreme precision and care.
Hooping the gourd with the motto of Pope Francis
Delivery to the Vatican
Once the gourd was completed, it was carefully packed and sent to the Vatican. It was hand-delivered to him by a member of his entourage .
We later learned that Pope Francis was very touched by the work done. We do not know if it is often used or if it sits proudly in one of his boxes!
Pope Francis receives his personalized gourd
The importance of the mate gourd
The mate gourd is more than just a utilitarian object. It represents a tradition and a symbol of sharing and community. For Pope Francis, who values simplicity and human connection , this gift has deep meaning.
Creating this mate gourd for Pope Francis was an unforgettable experience for our team. This project allowed us to showcase our craftsmanship while honoring an iconic figure of our time.
We are proud to have contributed, in our own way, to the daily life of the Pope and to have created for him, at the request of his entourage, an object that symbolizes both his Argentinian roots and his spiritual values.
Since 2018, we have been producing mate gourds or personalized gourds with our partner.
We are delighted to support you in creating a unique and meaningful object.
