Simplicity key to Pope Francis’ room in Manila – Josie Natori

MANILA, Philippines – Pope Francis has returned to Rome, following his successful 5-day visit to the Philippines.

While he was here, the furnishings of the Pope’s official place of residence were designed by Filipino talent Josie Natori.

The planning spanned 7 months prior to his visit. The designer enlisted the help of her mother Angelita Almeda Cruz. 

In an interview with Women’s Wear Daily, the New-York-based designer talked about the integral role she played. “Basically, we all helped in our own ways. I provided everything but the soap.”

My mother at the Nunciature where Pope Francis will stay pic.twitter.com/WasANHadJb

— Josie Natori (@JosieNatori) January 15, 2015

Josie spruced up the room of the Pope at the Apostolic Nunciature. Among the preparations were the linens, the towels, and the bathrobe which the designer provided. She also chose the curtain fabrics, and even replaced the bedside table and a lamp. 

Off to our one on one meeting with the Pope this morning! pic.twitter.com/8RhJzAvFuW

— Josie Natori (@JosieNatori) January 17, 2015

Despite the meticulousness, Josie respected the simplicity the Pope, who preferred a small room with a single bed. “We just wanted to respect the way he lives, which is very simple. Everything was done simply and mostly in white because that is what he would have wanted,” she added. 

After helping plan his visit for months, Josie Natori was honored to meet Pope Francis in the Philippines pic.twitter.com/kyzGQlkKvr

— Natori (@NatoriCompany) January 19, 2015

She was one of the lucky few to have met the Pope personally, and she confirmed that he was exactly like the people talked him up to be: humble and simple. “It was so humbling. I was so speechless that I couldn’t say anything. He is so tender and loving. There is almost no ceremony with him.” 

Josie Natori is a Philippine-born designer who left Manila at 17 years old to study economics in New York. Before she became CEO of fashion brand Natori, she worked at investment firm Merrill Lynch. – Rappler.com