ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Sedia gestatoria

Hey kiddo, have you ever seen a really fancy chair that important people sit on for special occasions like parades or ceremonies? That’s called a sedia gestatoria.

The sedia gestatoria is a special chair that was used in the past by the Pope and other important religious figures. It was carried on the shoulders of some special helpers, called the gestatori, and it was covered with fancy decorations and fabrics.

The Pope would sit on the sedia gestatoria while people would carry him through crowds of adoring fans. This was a way for the Pope to show himself to his followers and also to protect him from any dangers that might be in the crowds.

Nowadays, the sedia gestatoria isn’t used as much anymore because the Pope prefers to be closer to the people and walk among them during special events. But it’s still a really interesting piece of history and a reminder of how important religious figures were and still are in some parts of the world.